Centre for Applied Vision Research at the School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London welcomes Professor John Lawrenson to discuss strategies to support and increase Diabetic Retinopathy Screening attendance, as part of the research seminar series.
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. It has been estimated that globally, approximately 93 million individuals have some form of diabetic retinopathy, with 28 million suffering from the sight‐threatening end points of the disease.
The economic burden of vision impairment and blindness due to diabetic retinopathy, particularly in the working age population, is considerable. Annual or biennial diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) is recommended in many countries using a variety of screening modalities.
However, despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of DRS in reducing the risk of sight loss in people with diabetes, screening infrastructure and uptake in many countries and across screening programmes is sub-optimal.
Several factors have been shown to affect access and attendance for DRS, including ethnicity, younger age (less than 40 years), type and duration of diabetes and living in areas of high social deprivation.
The field of behaviour change to improve health outcomes has developed significantly in recent years, including systematic methods for identifying and addressing barriers and enablers to performing self-management behaviours.
Using a method that combines behavioural theory with user involvement, we have identified a number of strategies to support DRS attendance.
Interventions are more likely to be effective if they include components that specifically target the empirically identified modifiable determinants of behaviour and behaviour change.
Interventions need to be targeted at both individual and organisational levels and are likely to vary in scope and intensity.
About the speaker
Professor John Lawrenson, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London. London UK
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