Ophthalmoscopy- a useful but neglected skill by the non-ophthalmologist doctors

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess the views of hospital doctors on ophthalmoscopy and their ability to examine the ocular fundi and diagnose abnormalities. A questionnaire based cross-sectional study. Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan, where study lasted from June 2007 to September 2007. An indigenous questionnaire was designed and distributed among non-ophthalmologists doctors of different specialties of the hospital. The subjects were asked to rank the frequency of using ophthalmoscope and difficulties facing in using it. A list of common ophthalmoscopic findings was also given in questionnaire and doctors were asked about their recognition using ophthalmoscope. A total of 71 non-ophthalmologist doctors were included in the study. Twenty four [33.8%] belonged to medical and allied specialties, 39 [54.9%] to surgical and allied specialties, six [8.5%] to paediatrics and two [2.8%] to emergency department. Only 28 [39.4%] had ophthalmoscope at their work place, 9 [32%] of which were non functional. Only 14 [19.7%] use ophthalmoscope daily, 26 [36.7%] occasionally and 31 [43.7%] do not use it at all. Only 20 [50%] of the 40 doctors who perform ophthalmoscopy, dilate pupil and the rest do not. Regarding competency of using ophthalmoscope only 22 [31.2%] doctors were confident in ophthalmoscopy, 17 [24%] had difficulty in focusing fundus, 22 [31.2%] had difficulty in recognizing findings and 10 [14.7%] did not know its use. Almost all [96%] mentioned the need of a training course to improve their skill of ophthalmoscopy