Compliance with recommendations from a screening programme for diabetic retinopathy

Methods: General practitioner compliance with recommendations for patient f ollow-up after participation in a screening programme for diabetic retinopa thy was assessed. Six months after screening with non-mydriatic retinal pho tography in four areas of Victoria, the general practitioner of each partic ipant was surveyed if the participant reported no examination for diabetic retinopathy in the past 2 years and if the results or the screening indicat ed the need for further assessment. Results: Overall, 208 of 253 (82%) completed questionnaires were analysed. A total of 123 (59%) patients were referred by their doctors for further as sessment and 97 (79%) of those referred were reported to have complied with the referral. Of the 85 (41%) patients who were not referred for further a ssessment, 31 (36%) were reported by their doctors to be already under regu lar review by an ophthalmologist. Conclusions: Compliance with general practitioner referrals suggests that t his screening programme was effective and a useful means by which to remind general practitioners of the importance of regular eye examinations for pe ople with diabetes.