Diabetic Retina Exam Rate Does Not Increase With Phone Reminders in Non-HMO Population

Diabetic retinopathy is the major cause of blindness in working age Americans, and screening for it is cost-effective. There are a quarter of a million people in Southeast Michigan with diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Only half of patients with diabetes are screened regularly for diabetic retinopathy, and this proportion has been difficult to increase despite various interventions. Previous research focused on HMO patient groups because preventative care was thought to decrease plan costs. In addition, it was administratively feasible to track patient-doctor interactions.

This project builds on published research and institutional experience to determine an effective method for increasing the screening rate, in a mobile, non-HMO population. It uses administrative methods and information technology infrastructures, such as large scale electronic medical records and patient demographic databases, to identify existing patients requiring examinations.

Patients were telephoned by a trained service representative who offered and scheduled firm examination appointment times.

Hypothesis: Annual screening rates for diabetic retinopathy can be substantially improved in non-HMO patient groups by directly contacting patients and scheduling firm appointment times.