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Wills Eye Institute aims to increase follow-up care for at-risk inner city children
 Alex V. Levin |
PHILADELPHIA — Improved communication protocols are being implemented to increase ophthalmic follow-up care for at-risk children in Philadelphia, according to a study presented here.
At the Wills Eye Institute Alumni Conference, Alex V. Levin, MD, elucidated obstacles to providing ophthalmic follow-up care for at-risk pediatric populations in Philadelphia.
"The biggest problem overall is the failure to connect with the families," Dr. Levin said. "Cell phones don't work. Call backs don't work. Part of that reflects the common use of cell phones. The No. 2 problem was a lack of understanding. Parents just didn't get what we were trying to do to get them to get back to us."
The study included patient records of 93 children identified through two vision screening programs for low-income children. Families were called to schedule follow-up appointments. A standard questionnaire was used to identify barriers to follow-up care.
Results showed that 34% of families were contacted by phone. Of those, 5% chose to seek follow-up care at centers apart from Wills Eye Institute.
Sixty-five letters were sent to parents, but none elicited a reply.
Social factors such as incarceration of a parent or both parents working played a relatively minor role in noncompliance, Dr. Levin said. Many parents were not reached because their cell phones were deactivated or turned off, he said.
Ongoing efforts to increase follow-up rates include getting more phone numbers per patient, arranging follow-up appointments at the time of screening and giving parents written follow-up instructions, Dr. Levin said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Levin has no relevant financial disclosures.