Diagnostic testing is a critical piece of the primary care puzzle, a process that gives primary care physicians better insight into the health of their patients. These tests cover everything from blood samples, urine samples, imaging, endoscopy, and biopsy. The information that primary care physicians get from these tests is invaluable.
Repertoire Magazine recently spoke to Eric A. Reyer, DNP, ACNP, CCNS, Director of Medical Affairs / Patient Monitoring and Physical Exam & Diagnostics at Baxter, about the importance of ophthalmoscopy and otoscopy in a primary care visit. Primary care is the front line of the healthcare industry, and a timely diagnosis can make a huge impact on the patient. Ensure that your primary care customers have the tools they need to perform these tests and take care of their patients so that they can improve their outcomes and patient care processes.
What are ophthalmoscopy and otoscopy tests and why are they important?
Ophthalmoscopy and otoscopy tests are clinical procedures designed to examine the structures of the eyes and ears, respectively. These are routinely performed at most primary care offices, and they give a better picture of the total health of the patient.
Dr. Reyer said, “Ophthalmoscopy and otoscopy are fundamental parts of a patient’s visit because they are essential diagnostic tools for healthcare providers to assess the patient’s overall health. Using these tools in a patient’s visit can help healthcare providers identify potential health issues early on, which can lead to more effective treatment and better patient outcomes.”
These exams are conducted to monitor the patient’s condition over time, giving providers an opportunity to track changes or progressions in their patients. Many providers are looking at the total health of the patient, often using these tests to detect problems that are symptomatic of bigger issues.
Leveraging these skills to improve patient care
By leveraging the fundamental skills of ophthalmology, providers can improve patient care through accurate diagnoses because of this sort of testing. Dr. Reyer said, “Ophthalmoscopy enables healthcare providers to examine the fundus of the eye, including the retina and optic disc, to diagnose conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal detachment. If these conditions are identified early on, they can be more effectively managed through progression tracking leading to timely interventions and adjustments to treatment plans over time.”
Preventative care can make such a significant difference in the life of the patient, making these tests more important for primary care environments. However, these fundamental ophthalmological skills are often not prioritized due to time constraints, inadequate training, limited resources, and misunderstanding of the importance of these exams.
About these challenges, Dr. Reyer said, “Healthcare providers are often under pressure to see a high volume of patients within a limited time frame which can lead to a rushed exam and lack of focus on these essential skills. Others may not have received adequate training in ophthalmoscopy and otoscopy, which can make it difficult for them to perform these exams proficiently. Some settings may not even have the equipment or resources to perform these essential services.”
In these scenarios, it amplifies the risk for missing or delayed diagnoses in patients. Prioritizing these exams can result in vision loss, hearing loss, increased risk of health complications, decreased quality of life, increase in healthcare costs, and legal implications for the provider. When providers take the time to prioritize these processes, patients can receive timely and accurate diagnoses with the appropriate treatment.
Implementing new technology
Medical manufacturers like Baxter are working to introduce new pieces of technology to the market that will make conducting these tests easier, while improving the diagnostic results. Traditional methods have a certain margin for error built in, making them more difficult to use and prone to error compared to the modern technological counterparts. Newer pieces of technology like Welch Allyn’s MacroView Plus Otoscope and the PanOptic Plus Ophthalmoscope are designed to improve workflows and deliver better results.
Dr. Reyer said, “This new technology has several advantages over traditional methods, including increased accuracy, improved patient experience, enhanced visualization leading to early detection and treatment, reduced healthcare costs, and improved patient outcomes. High resolution digital technology provides detailed images allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment.”
As the digital age continues to sweep in and change so many of our analog tools, it can transform traditional ophthalmoscopy and otoscopy by providing real-time imaging, a wider field of view, higher resolutions, cost savings, remote consultation, advanced image analysis, and even telemedicine. These digital tools are also helpful when it comes to tracking and monitoring progress with the patients. For example, physicians can track the previous test results for patients coming into the office for a follow-up appointment. Armed with this capability, primary care physicians can compare results to the last time these tests were done.
“Digital imaging also provides a means of objective comparison to previous exams which was not possible with traditional exams,” Dr. Reyer said. “Patients and caregivers are now able to see exactly what the problem is through a high-resolution image so that they better understand the diagnosis and why certain treatment options may be preferable over others, instilling confidence and trust with both the provider and the plan of care.”