NHSX has released an ‘eye care digital playbook’, which directs clinicians and organisations to digital tools that can support patient pathways.
The resource, which is extensive and features numerous case studies, can be used by eye care specialists looking to digitally enhance their ophthalmology pathways, remote monitoring and sharing of diagnostics.
Areas and scenarios covered in the playbook include examples of digital tools and solutions to help with communication, improving referrals, setting up virtual clinics, remote consultations and self-monitoring, as well as sharing clinical data and images.
A step-by-step, recommended eye care pathway is also featured. This sets out the relevant case studies, examples and potentially useful digital tools for different clinicians at each stage of a patients’ eye journey.
By using this, professionals should be able to easily navigate the pathway steps, take patients through a consistent and standardised digital journey and find suitable solutions for them. It covers stages from primary care, referrals and diagnostics, through to outpatients and day surgery, and finally, community care and supported self-care.
Some of the innovative case studies featured include examples from:
- NHS Grampian’s Eye Health Network
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS FT
- County Durham and Darlington NHS FT
- The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Bolton NHS Trust FT
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS FT
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS FT
- The University of Strathclyde and NHS Forth Valley
Digital tools and solutions highlighted stretch from home visual acuity testing and remote vision monitoring for macular disease, through to secure video messaging service examples, smartphone-based lenses for image capturing and referrals, virtual glaucoma clinics, and integration platforms.
Visit the NHSX website to find the full ‘eye care digital playbook’, or email dnhsx@nhsx.nhs.uk to provide feedback.
