OOs in the dark on referrals

New data has found 73% of community optometrists were unaware of the outcome of their ophthalmology referrals.

The three-phase study, published in the College journal, Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, analysed 349 patient referral records, along with stakeholder interviews with practitioners from three different optometric settings - domiciliary, independent practice and corporate chain.

Researchers concluded the low referral reply rate were causing breaks in the feedback loop that was throttling the overall standard of referrals and causing unnecessary re-referral. Authors recommended that feedback to the referring optometrist should be embedded within online referral platforms.