Evaluating the Impact of Patient Navigator Support on Vision-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health in a Community Retina Clinic
Description
Untreated comorbidities and socio-clinical factors accompanying retinal disorders significantly impact patient quality of life and mental health, representing a major health disparity. This study aims to address this unmet need by integrating a patient navigator program into a community retina clinic. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of patient navigator support in improving vision-related quality of life and mental health outcomes. The secondary objective includes developing a multidisciplinary resource framework to address barriers to care for retinal patients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants to identify barriers to accessing eye care and to inform targeted interventions. Subsequently, baseline measures were collected via VFQ-25, IVI, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 questionnaires. Following a three-month intervention period, surveys were re-administered to evaluate changes in vision-related quality of life, mental health, and overall satisfaction. Five retinal patients with visual impairments participated in a 60-minute preliminary interview to reveal the following common themes related to unmet health needs: 1) lack of PCP support, 2) transportation difficulties, 3) management of comorbidities, 4) low health literacy, and 5) emotional distress. 363 participants completed preliminary surveys: 43 reported difficulty accessing their PCP, 36 expressed transportation difficulties; 129 were diabetic, 37 had difficulty with disease management, 52 reported difficulty with health literacy, and 89 expressed eye-related anxiety. Preliminary findings demonstrate significant barriers to care among retinal patients, indicating a need for tailored interventions. This study indicates that a patient navigator program can address these obstacles by improving patient education and facilitating access to healthcare resources.
Evaluating the Impact of Patient Navigator Support on Vision-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health in a Community Retina Clinic
Untreated comorbidities and socio-clinical factors accompanying retinal disorders significantly impact patient quality of life and mental health, representing a major health disparity. This study aims to address this unmet need by integrating a patient navigator program into a community retina clinic. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of patient navigator support in improving vision-related quality of life and mental health outcomes. The secondary objective includes developing a multidisciplinary resource framework to address barriers to care for retinal patients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants to identify barriers to accessing eye care and to inform targeted interventions. Subsequently, baseline measures were collected via VFQ-25, IVI, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 questionnaires. Following a three-month intervention period, surveys were re-administered to evaluate changes in vision-related quality of life, mental health, and overall satisfaction. Five retinal patients with visual impairments participated in a 60-minute preliminary interview to reveal the following common themes related to unmet health needs: 1) lack of PCP support, 2) transportation difficulties, 3) management of comorbidities, 4) low health literacy, and 5) emotional distress. 363 participants completed preliminary surveys: 43 reported difficulty accessing their PCP, 36 expressed transportation difficulties; 129 were diabetic, 37 had difficulty with disease management, 52 reported difficulty with health literacy, and 89 expressed eye-related anxiety. Preliminary findings demonstrate significant barriers to care among retinal patients, indicating a need for tailored interventions. This study indicates that a patient navigator program can address these obstacles by improving patient education and facilitating access to healthcare resources.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/we-spark-conference/2025/postersessions/22