TY - JOUR
T1 - Screening for diabetic retinopathy in remote Australia : a program description and evaluation of a devolved model
AU - Mak, D.B.
AU - Plant, A.J.
AU - Mcallister, Ian
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - Objectives: To describe the diabetic retinopathy screening program operating in the Kimberley and evaluate recruitment into and the quality and timeliness of, the screening procedure. Method: Review of the documents relating to the Kimberley diabetic retinopathy screening program and analysis of Kimberley diabetic retinopathy screening database. Results: The Kimberley Public Health Unit developed and maintains a program of training, credentialing and ongoing professional development for retinal camera practitioners and a Kimberley-wide database of retinal photographs taken for diabetic retinopathy screening. As a result of this program, diabetic retinopathy screening is available in or close to most diabetics’ home towns/communities and 58% had undergone retinopathy screening in the preceding 2 years. Over 90% of sets of photographs were of excellent or adequate quality. There was a positive relationship between credentialing and photograph quality and timeliness of photographs being sent away for reporting. Conclusions: Quality diabetic retinopathy screening, at prevalences comparable to, or higher than, other urban and rural populations, can be achieved in a remote area.
AB - Objectives: To describe the diabetic retinopathy screening program operating in the Kimberley and evaluate recruitment into and the quality and timeliness of, the screening procedure. Method: Review of the documents relating to the Kimberley diabetic retinopathy screening program and analysis of Kimberley diabetic retinopathy screening database. Results: The Kimberley Public Health Unit developed and maintains a program of training, credentialing and ongoing professional development for retinal camera practitioners and a Kimberley-wide database of retinal photographs taken for diabetic retinopathy screening. As a result of this program, diabetic retinopathy screening is available in or close to most diabetics’ home towns/communities and 58% had undergone retinopathy screening in the preceding 2 years. Over 90% of sets of photographs were of excellent or adequate quality. There was a positive relationship between credentialing and photograph quality and timeliness of photographs being sent away for reporting. Conclusions: Quality diabetic retinopathy screening, at prevalences comparable to, or higher than, other urban and rural populations, can be achieved in a remote area.
U2 - 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2003.00524.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2003.00524.x
M3 - Article
SN - 1038-5282
VL - 11
SP - 224
EP - 230
JO - Australian Journal of Rural Health
JF - Australian Journal of Rural Health
IS - 5
ER -
