Glaucoma Australia's Referral Response Pathway is Expanding

Since its launch in June last year, Glaucoma Australia’s Referral Response Pathway has been rapidly expanding, with over 4000 new patients joining the new Patient Support Journey and more than 40 health educators responding to patient calls.

The innovative patient support journey was designed to give patients information that is practical, useful and actionable at every stage of their journey. The Glaucoma Australia health educators play an integral part in this journey. Through a combination of emails and personalised phone calls, our educators aim to personally answer a myriad of questions that patients have about their diagnosis, treatment, health and lifestyle impacts.

Every opportunity to educate and support patients is focussed on improving knowledge and reducing anxiety while encouraging appointment and treatment adherence that maximises health outcomes. Language can prove to be to a barrier with some patients having difficulty understanding treatment regimes.

Fortunately, since reaching out to Australian Orthoptic and Optometry universities last year, Glaucoma Australia now has over 40 volunteers who are medically trained to provide education and support in 20 different languages.

One of the health educators, Jingyi, says “Many patients are not aware of the extent of information and support available from Glaucoma Australia and being able to bring that to their attention has been immensely valuable. I’ve been able to remind some who have become non-compliant with their drops over time, the importance of continuing the treatment. I think a glaucoma diagnosis can be quite confronting and some patients think that they have no one to speak to about their condition, they can feel quite lonely. This is where we can help!!” Our health educators currently respond to over 400 calls a month and moderate our Facebook support groups.

The pathway was designed to be a collaborative model of care between optometry, ophthalmology, pharmacy and Glaucoma Australia to enable the best type of care for glaucoma patients.

“As optometry continues to detect glaucoma in increasing numbers it becomes ever more important that we involve Glaucoma Australia in the care of these patients. Glaucoma Australia has invested in new systems that are already aiding glaucoma suspects and patients with glaucoma. The important first step for patients identified as needing an ophthalmologist review is to register the patient with Glaucoma Australia at the time of referral so they can benefit from these services” said Dr Ben Ashby Chair of Optometry Committee Glaucoma Australia.

Many health professionals have taken the message on board and have referred their patients for extra support. In the last 12 months, Glaucoma Australia has received close to 4,000 new referrals from optometrists and ophthalmologists. Glaucoma Australia has recently expanded to encouraging pharmacists to refer their patients.

The Referral Response Pathway provides a wonderful opportunity for eye-care professionals to partner with Glaucoma Australia to promote early detection, collaborative care and ongoing educational support. Through the expansion and constant review of this pathway, Glaucoma Australia aims to raise awareness about glaucoma and help eliminate glaucoma blindness.