Abdull Mohammed: Health service response to support patient journey

Eye health providers need to build long-term relationships with glaucoma patients. In this video, Abdull shares his experiences and recommendations.

Fatima Kyari shares her approach to building lasting relationships with patients below:

Patients, especially those who are newly diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), have many questions. Consultation times are short, so it can be useful to give patients some generic information about glaucoma in written form.

Even within the short consultation time, however, my usual practice with newly-diagnosed patients is to explain:

Provide basic information about glaucoma; i.e. the pressure within the eye is too high, which damages the nerve at the back of the eye without causing any pain. Explain to them that they will experience a gradual loss of vision if no treatment is given.

How we can stop or delay vision loss – a brief explanation of treatment options: medicines, surgery, laser

The patient’s visual prognosis in terms of treatment and adherence to medications, etc

Then I ask the counsellor, if there is one, to explain further.

I would recommend that all busy glaucoma clinics employ a glaucoma counsellor.

Where I work, it seems that most patients would rather hear the initial explanation from the doctor. They are then better able to understand and relate to any further explanation from someone who has more time to counsel or motivate them.

Please share your own thoughts and experience in supporting and building trust with glaucoma patients.