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Glaucoma patient shares thoughts on improving communication with physicians at EGS meeting
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PRAGUE — Thorough and understandable information, clear answers, listening, dialogue and respect are what patients need to effectively manage glaucoma together with their consultant, according to a glaucoma patient invited to speak at the European Glaucoma Society Congress.
“The confidence the doctor gives me in understanding what is going on means we strike a deal: I take my medications regularly and correctly, and together we work through my glaucoma. I am prepared to do more to help the doctor understand glaucoma because it helps both me and other patients,” Carol Bronze said.
Carol Bronze
Some practical advice came from her talk: Visual field testing should be done by alternating the first eye because by the time the test is done in the second eye, the patient has lost the will to press the button and just “does it from time to time, hopefully catching a light.” Also, more patients would be willing to join clinical trials “if they were asked by the right people the right way.”
“I signed up for trials from the very start because I understand that that one specific trial may not make the difference to me today but it might tomorrow, to me or to someone just like me. Change the way you ask patients to join, and you’ll get more,” Bronze said.
Communication is key, between doctor and patient and between the patient and his or her own family and friends.
“The very best consultants tell patients to ask questions as much as they need and make sure they get the answers they can tell family and friends. It is imperative. It does not really help me if I understand in the clinic what the doctor is telling me but cannot put it into my own words at home. To help manage my condition, I need to be able to talk about it with authority,” she said. – by Michela Cimberle
Reference:
Bronze C. Modern glaucoma management from the perspective of the patient. Presented at: European Glaucoma Society Congress; June 19-22, 2016; Prague.
Disclosure: Bronze reports no relevant financial disclosures.