Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38835087›Full record

ArticleIsrael journal of health policy research2024

Timely care for age-related macular degeneration: a qualitative study among retina specialists in Israel.

Vicki Myers, Osnat Luxenburg, Rachel Wilf-Miron, Hani Levkovitch Verbin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Israel journal of health policy research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. The Israeli eye care system through a public and global health lens.Israel journal of health policy research · 2025
    Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Vicki Myers *Center for Healthcare Technology and Innovation Policy Research, Gertner Institute of Epidemiology & Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel. vickimg@gertner.health.gov.il.
Osnat Luxenburg *Medical Technology, Health Information and Research Directorate, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.
Rachel Wilf-MironCenter for Healthcare Technology and Innovation Policy Research, Gertner Institute of Epidemiology & Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Hani Levkovitch VerbinOphthalmology Department, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.

Funding

Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research 9.19 2019/4
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects quality of life and independence, and its incidence and prevalence are increasing due to ageing of the population. Access to effective timely treatment can improve vision and reduce incidence of blindness. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of ophthalmologists in the Israeli public healthcare system regarding timely treatment of AMD patients.

methodsQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2020-2021 with 22 senior ophthalmologists, from 10 general hospitals and from two HMOs, representing different geographic regions. All interviewees specialize in retinal diseases and work with AMD patients. Interviews discussed patient pathways involved in the diagnosis and treatment of AMD, access to care, and obstacles to timely care. Thematic analysis was conducted.

resultsBased on the interviews, we describe the usual referral and treatment pathways. Themes included regional disparities, long wait times in some areas, a lack of retina specialists, differences in referral pathways, inappropriate use of emergency department to obtain timely treatment, and second-line treatment not fully covered by insurance, most affecting the weakest segments of the population.

conclusionsLoss of vision incurs high health and societal costs. In the context of insufficient medical manpower in Israel, the healthcare system will need to assess future resources to cope with accumulating burden of AMD cases over time in an ageing population. Precise referral information, and simultaneous referral to imaging and retinal clinics, may minimize delays in treatment. Awareness of AMD symptoms and the importance of early intervention could be highlighted by campaigns, particularly among high-risk groups. HIGHLIGHTS: • Interviews with hospital-based and community ophthalmologists showed regional disparities in AMD treatment, with long wait times and a lack of retina specialists in some areas. • Differences in referral pathways, inappropriate use of emergency department to obtain timely treatment, and second line treatment not fully covered by insurance were highlighted. • The healthcare system will need to assess future resources to cope with accumulating burden of AMD cases over time in an ageing population • Precise referral information, and simultaneous referral to imaging and retinal clinics, may minimize delays in treatment. • Awareness of AMD symptoms and the importance of early intervention should be emphasized in high-risk groups.

Indexed as

Macular DegenerationQualitative ResearchAdultAgedFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHumansInterviews as TopicIsraelMaleMiddle AgedOphthalmologistsQuality of LifeReferral and ConsultationAge-related macular degeneration (AMD)Health servicesQualitative researchRetina

Identifiers

PMID38835087
PMCPMC11151479

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.