The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) has released the first of a series of planned referral guides for optometrists and GPs to help provide more effective and efficient patient care pathways and improve eye health outcomes for patients across Australasia.
The first of the referral guidelines, looking at glaucoma management, was released at the beginning of August. Guidelines on diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are expected to be released in the near future, with other indications to be released later, following feedback.
In a statement RANZCO said these referral guidelines do not favour and are not dependent upon any one particular practice referral system or methodology. “They simply provide a resource which lays out a suggested referral pathway if certain signs and or symptoms are identified. The aim is to ensure patients receive the best care possible, in the most appropriate timeframe and from the appropriate healthcare provider.”
The referral guidelines are based on peer-reviewed publications about best practice in relation to referrals for symptoms and disease areas. “That said, we recognise that what works best in theory is not always what works best in practice and so we will be assessing the effectiveness and usability of the guidelines,” said Dr Bradley Horsburgh, RANZCO president. “We are all part of the eye healthcare system and it’s important that we deliver that as smoothly and effectively as possible for patients.”
MoU with Specsavers
