E1 Increasing Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Rates: A Rural Northern Ontario Success Story

Theme 1. Planning programs and fostering partnerships for healthier communities

 

Presentation Details

  • Date: 10/18/2016
  • Concurrent Session E
  • Room: Pier 9
  • Time: 10:45am - 11:30am
  • Style: Presentation (information provided to audience, with opportunity for audience to ask question)
  • Focus: Practical (e.g. Presentation on how to implement programs and/or practices in the team environment)
  • Target Audience: Leadership (ED, clinical lead, board chair, board member, etc.), Clinical providers, Administrative staff, Representatives of stakeholder/partner organizations

Learning Objectives

  1. To identify simple and effective approaches for the successful integration of a mobile diabetic retinal-screening program across health care sectors
  2. To explain how the provision of services within patients' home communities can increase patient engagement
  3. To describe the utilization of community based collaborative efforts to improve access to screening for patients who have never been screened and for those who have challenges accessing traditional screening models

Summary/Abstract

The Teleophthalmology Program (TOP) is a diabetic retinal-screening program offered to under-serviced areas in Ontario. The following outcomes have been documented since the inception of the Teleophthalmology Program on Manitoulin Island:

  1. The highest screening program in Ontario for the fiscal year of 2015-2016
  2. Manitoulin Central FHT increased annual diabetic screening rate from 63.8% to 82.3%, 15% higher than the provincial average
  3. 80% screening rate of Indigenous patients with diabetes on Manitoulin
  4. 8% of patients screened in 2015-2016 had pathologies identified
  5. 27% of the patients participating in 2015-2016 were screened for the first time
  6. 100% screening rates within the communities of Silver Water, Sheshegwaning and Zhiibaahassiing

As stated by Dr. Mouafak Al Hadi stated, lead physician for the project, "The convenience for the patients has contributed to our success. We have been able to reach never before screened patients by traveling to their local health care centres to provide this service."

Presenters

  • Karen Carrick, TOP Coordinator, RPN, Manitoulin Central FHT
  • Ann Cranston, RN, Manitoulin Central FHT
  • Lori Oswald, Executive Director, Manitoulin Central FHT

Authors & Contributors

  • Karen Carrick, TOP Coordinator, RPN, Manitoulin Central FHT
  • Ann Cranston, RN, Manitoulin Central FHT
  • Lori Oswald, Executive Director, Manitoulin Central FHT
  • Mouafak Al Hadi, Lead Physician for TOP, Manitoulin Central FHT
  • Dr. Frances Kilbertus, Physician, Manitoulin Central FHT
  • Lianne Charette, Health Promoter, RPN, Manitoulin Central FHT
Tags
Concurrent Sessions
Indigenous
BIPOC