The Effect of Counseling on Cataract Patient Knowledge, Decisional Conflict, and Satisfaction

A survey was given before and after 61 newly-diagnosed cataract patients underwent pre-surgical counseling at the Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India. The survey measured change in cataract knowledge and decisional conflict, a measure of anxiety surrounding the decision to undergo surgery, along with patient satisfaction. Multiple regression was used to identify factors that influenced change in knowledge.

Results : Both patient knowledge scores and decisional conflict scores improved following counseling (mean difference +2.0, p = 0.004 and +8.4, p p p = 0.04) as important predictors of increased knowledge post-counseling. Conclusion : Counseling both improved knowledge and reduced decisional conflict about cataract surgery, particularly among patients who had traditionally had more limited access to healthcare such as women and illiterate patients.

Increased use of high quality counseling might help to further reduce the global burden of cataract and other forms of blindness.