The problem of «medical inertia» in the practice of an ophthalmologist

The authors study the problem of inertia in the medical practice of ophthalmology, which implies the absence of any modification of the treatment in the presence of objective necessity or clinical indications. The treatment of multifactorial diseases, including primary glaucoma is particularly criti...

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Main Authors: A. L. Onischenko, A. V. Kolbasko, E. G. Polunina, A. V. Zacharova
Format: Article
Language:Russian
Published: Ophthalmology Publishing Group 2015-10-01
Series:Oftalʹmologiâ
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.ophthalmojournal.com/opht/article/view/264
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author A. L. Onischenko
A. V. Kolbasko
E. G. Polunina
A. V. Zacharova
author_facet A. L. Onischenko
A. V. Kolbasko
E. G. Polunina
A. V. Zacharova
author_sort A. L. Onischenko
collection DOAJ
description The authors study the problem of inertia in the medical practice of ophthalmology, which implies the absence of any modification of the treatment in the presence of objective necessity or clinical indications. The treatment of multifactorial diseases, including primary glaucoma is particularly critical. An anonymous survey of 147 ophthalmologists from different regions of Western Siberia — Altai Territory, Kemerovo Region and the Republic of Khakassia, has been conducted. Most of the surveyed doctors believed that their treatment was successful in 40‑80 % of patients. According to literature data, ithe target value of IOP level is achieved in practice in under half of the patients receiving regular therapy. Another reason of medical inertia was the fear of polypragmasy. Almost 54 % of doctors said they are afraid to prescribe several medications, which limits their desire to intensify therapy. The results of our study suggest that the cost of glaucoma treatment, i.e. the fear to prescribe an expensive treatment for patients does not significantly determine the doctors’activity. Doctors often exaggerate the fear of patients for the treatment, believing that a particular medical drugwill not be taken by the patient, without trying to figure out the patient’s intention. The economic barrier has become an essential factor for our doctors, as 35 % ophthalmologists believe that 300‑500 Rubles for the therapy per month is expencive for a patient. Over 30 % respondents discussed with the patient the prescribed treatment with cost about 700‑900 Rubles. This could potentially lead to the fact, that the second and third medical drugs would be less likely prescribed due to the increased cost of treatment. Thus, we have set up the structure of the causes of medical inertia — a psychological unwillingness to achieve target values of IOP, overestimation of the therapy success. Less important reasons were the lack of doctor’s awareness and the economic barrier forthe decision making.
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spelling doaj.art-61f1912230a04a43aaf61b050bb54f792024-10-17T16:11:55ZrusOphthalmology Publishing GroupOftalʹmologiâ1816-50952500-08452015-10-01123838610.18008/1816-5095-2015-3-83-86256The problem of «medical inertia» in the practice of an ophthalmologistA. L. Onischenko0A. V. Kolbasko1E. G. Polunina2A. V. Zacharova3Novokuznetsk State Institute of Advanced Medical, Stroiteley prospect, 5, Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo region, 654005, Russian FederationNovokuznetsk State Institute of Advanced Medical, Stroiteley prospect, 5, Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo region, 654005, Russian FederationDepartment of Ophthalmology of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Clinical Hospital 15 Gamalei st., No. 86, Moscow, 123098, Russian FederationDepartment of Ophthalmology of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Clinical Hospital 15 Gamalei st., No. 86, Moscow, 123098, Russian FederationThe authors study the problem of inertia in the medical practice of ophthalmology, which implies the absence of any modification of the treatment in the presence of objective necessity or clinical indications. The treatment of multifactorial diseases, including primary glaucoma is particularly critical. An anonymous survey of 147 ophthalmologists from different regions of Western Siberia — Altai Territory, Kemerovo Region and the Republic of Khakassia, has been conducted. Most of the surveyed doctors believed that their treatment was successful in 40‑80 % of patients. According to literature data, ithe target value of IOP level is achieved in practice in under half of the patients receiving regular therapy. Another reason of medical inertia was the fear of polypragmasy. Almost 54 % of doctors said they are afraid to prescribe several medications, which limits their desire to intensify therapy. The results of our study suggest that the cost of glaucoma treatment, i.e. the fear to prescribe an expensive treatment for patients does not significantly determine the doctors’activity. Doctors often exaggerate the fear of patients for the treatment, believing that a particular medical drugwill not be taken by the patient, without trying to figure out the patient’s intention. The economic barrier has become an essential factor for our doctors, as 35 % ophthalmologists believe that 300‑500 Rubles for the therapy per month is expencive for a patient. Over 30 % respondents discussed with the patient the prescribed treatment with cost about 700‑900 Rubles. This could potentially lead to the fact, that the second and third medical drugs would be less likely prescribed due to the increased cost of treatment. Thus, we have set up the structure of the causes of medical inertia — a psychological unwillingness to achieve target values of IOP, overestimation of the therapy success. Less important reasons were the lack of doctor’s awareness and the economic barrier forthe decision making.https://www.ophthalmojournal.com/opht/article/view/264medical inertiaprimary glaucomasurvey of ophthalmologists
spellingShingle A. L. Onischenko
A. V. Kolbasko
E. G. Polunina
A. V. Zacharova
The problem of «medical inertia» in the practice of an ophthalmologist
Oftalʹmologiâ
medical inertia
primary glaucoma
survey of ophthalmologists
title The problem of «medical inertia» in the practice of an ophthalmologist
title_full The problem of «medical inertia» in the practice of an ophthalmologist
title_fullStr The problem of «medical inertia» in the practice of an ophthalmologist
title_full_unstemmed The problem of «medical inertia» in the practice of an ophthalmologist
title_short The problem of «medical inertia» in the practice of an ophthalmologist
title_sort problem of medical inertia in the practice of an ophthalmologist
topic medical inertia
primary glaucoma
survey of ophthalmologists
url https://www.ophthalmojournal.com/opht/article/view/264
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