Journal article

Patients' causal beliefs about diabetic retinopathy

EK Fenwick, EL Lamoureux, RP Finger, L Lim, G Rees

Optometry and Vision Science | LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS | Published : 2013

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study explored patients' understanding of the risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR) and their personal beliefs about the cause and controllability of their own DR, as well as health professionals' perceptions of patients' understanding of DR and its cause. METHODS: Eight focus groups and 18 semistructured interviews were conducted with 57 patients with DR, and seven semistructured interviews were conducted with diabetes and ophthalmic specialists. Sessions were transcribed verbatim and iteratively analyzed using the constant comparative method and NVIVO software. RESULTS: Nearly 50% of participants had proliferative DR, and most patients had undergone laser treatment. Pati..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE)


Awarded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia


Funding Acknowledgements

We thank all the patients and health professionals who participated in this study and for sharing their experiences and views. The project was funded by National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) no. 529923-Translational Clinical Research in Major Eye Diseases; CCRE Diabetes; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia no. CRFB002DAU09T; and Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. CERA receives operational infrastructure support from the Victorian Government.