Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 2870 University Ave, Ste 206, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
Curr Diab Rep. 2019 Aug 2;19(9):74. doi: 10.1007/s11892-019-1187-5.
We discuss opportunities to address key barriers to widespread implementation of teleophthalmology programs for diabetic eye screening in the United States (U.S.).
Teleophthalmology is an evidence-based form of diabetic eye screening. This technology has been proven to substantially increase diabetic eye screening rates and decrease blindness. However, teleophthalmology implementation remains limited among U.S. health systems. Major barriers include financial concerns as well as limited utilization by providers, clinical staff, and patients. Possible interventions include increasingly affordable camera technology, demonstration of financially sustainable billing models, and engaging key stakeholders. Significant opportunities exist to overcome barriers to scale up and promote widespread implementation of teleophthalmology in the USA. Further development of methods to sustain effective increases in diabetic eye screening rates using this technology is needed. In addition, the demonstration of cost-effectiveness in a variety of billing models should be investigated to facilitate widespread implementation of teleophthalmology in U.S. health systems.
我们讨论了在美国（美国）普及远程眼科医疗计划以进行糖尿病眼病筛查所面临的主要障碍及应对机会。
远程眼科医疗是一种基于证据的糖尿病眼病筛查方法。该技术已被证明可大幅提高糖尿病眼病筛查率并降低失明率。然而，远程眼科医疗在美国医疗系统中的应用仍然有限。主要障碍包括财务问题以及提供者、临床工作人员和患者的利用率有限。可能的干预措施包括价格更实惠的摄像技术、展示可持续的计费模式，以及吸引主要利益相关者。在美国克服障碍以扩大规模并推广远程眼科医疗的应用存在巨大机会。需要进一步开发使用该技术维持有效提高糖尿病眼病筛查率的方法。此外，还应研究各种计费模式的成本效益，以促进远程眼科医疗在美国医疗系统中的广泛应用。
