Integration of hospital and community care for paediatric ophthalmology: A mixed-methods study.

Background: To explore collaborative care models for paediatric eye care that integrate hospital and community-based care to address access blocks.

Methods: Sequential referrals to a tertiary paediatric ophthalmology clinic between April and October 2019 and subsequent encounters up until July 2020 at a major metropolitan public children's hospital in Sydney, Australia, were reviewed to identify those cases suitable for community care. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with eye health service providers, including ophthalmologists, orthoptists and optometrists, as well as service users to explore their perspectives on potential changes to service delivery. Qualitative data were analysed deductively using the Levesque model for access to healthcare and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to inform implementation strategies for future models of care.

Results: One-third of the 439 audited referrals (30.5%; 134/439) were identified as suitable for community management. Interviews revealed five themes relating to potential models of care, which would support and promote access: integrated health systems, standardised quality of care, interprofessional trust, multidisciplinary governance and patient-centred care. Key recommendations for future implementation included: (i) identifying and preparing clinical champions, (ii) conducting educational meetings, (iii) conducting local needs assessments and (iv) informing local opinion leaders.

Conclusions: This audit highlights access blocks and poor targeting of referrals to tertiary paediatric ophthalmology services in a metropolitan hospital. Integration with community practitioners was identified as an acceptable way to streamline services, and strategies that may support successful implementation in this setting were identified.