D. Orr et al., FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE PATIENT CHOICE OF AN EXCIMER-LASER TREATMENT CENTER, Journal of cataract and refractive surgery, 24(3), 1998, pp. 335-340
Purpose: To identify the factors that most influenced patient choice o
f an excimer laser treatment center and those most likely to deter pat
ients from selecting a particular center. Setting: A National Health S
ervice (NHS) excimer laser unit in the northeast of England. Methods:
An anonymous 24-item questionnaire was constructed. Each question had
a visual analogue scale, anchored at each end with an adjectival descr
iption. Patients were asked to mark their response to the related ques
tion on the scale. Using the database of over 300 patients treated by
excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) at Sunderland Eye infi
rmary between May 1993 and December 1995, the first 140 consecutive pa
tients were identified. Questionnaires were sent to them and returned
between August 1 and October 31, 1995. Results: A 64.3% reply rate (90
patients) was achieved. Overall, the results suggest that patients co
nsidered many factors to be important in their selection of a treatmen
t center for PRK correction of myopia. Over 95% said that treatment an
d review by a consultant ophthalmologist, comprehensive follow-up appo
intments, professional attitude by staff, and reputation of the hospit
al were important factors in their selection of the center. Ninety to
95% said confidence im the clinical reputation and skills of the ophth
almic Surgeons performing the treatment was important, as was having f
ollow-up by only one or two staff members. Slightly more than 50% said
that being treated in an NHS hospital setting (51.7%) or that expense
of the treatment (50.5%) were important factors in their decision. Co
nclusion: Patients who chose to have excimer laser PRK based their cho
ice of a unit on reputation of the staff and hospital but also on havi
ng care and follow-up by a consultant ophthalmic surgeon, high standar
ds of equipment, continuity of care, and a comprehensive review system
backed up by ready accessibility to staff members. Although proximity
of a unit was important, cost appeared less important than the other
factors.