Abstract
Purpose
With regard to the process by which the guardians of pediatric oculoplastic patients choose medical care, this study assessed whether their perceptions changed after the department name was changed to oculoplasty. The study involved a comparative analysis of changes in the perceptions between a 10-year period from 2007–2017, to assess whether the name change led to better medical service.
Methods
Questionnaires, which were the same as those distributed in 2007, were distributed to the guardians of pediatric oculoplastic patients who were hospitalized for surgery for epiblepharon and ptosis. The results from 100 guardians who completed the survey were compared and analyzed with those collected in 2007.
Results
The average age of respondents was 38.1 years, and most respondents were mothers. Most had become aware of the primary symptoms after medical examinations of infants and school eyesight tests. The ophthalmologist had the most direct effect on the decision for oculoplastic surgery. With regard to economic status, most respondents were middle-class. Most had a college degree or higher, which was significantly increased when compared with the educational levels in 2007.
Conclusions
Overall, guardians' perceptions had improved due to continuous education about oculoplasty, including notification of the name change to the Department of Oculoplasty, but it is necessary to continue efforts, such as providing professional information and medical consultations, to encourage patients to make the right decisions when selecting medical care.
Figures and Tables
![]() | Figure 1Distribution of respondent in quastionnaire. Question is ‘observers who found the symptoms’. VA = visual acuity. |
![]() | Figure 2Distribution of respondent in quastionnaire. Question is ‘who had the greatest influence on the operation decision’. |
![]() | Figure 4Distribution of respondent in quastionnaire. Question is ‘main informative sources for operation’. |
![]() | Figure 5Distribution of respondent in quastionnaire. Question is ‘perception of the existence of Oculoplasty department’. |
![]() | Figure 6Distribution of respondent in quastionnaire. Question is ‘awareness of both plastic surgery and oculoplasty department on operation’. |
![]() | Figure 7Distribution of respondent in quastionnaire. Question is ‘the reason why guardians chose oculoplasty even though they already knew both oculoplasty and plastic surgery can perform operation’. |
![]() | Figure 8Distribution of respondent in quastionnaire. Question is ‘academic background of guardians of pediatric oculoplastic patients’. |
![]() | Figure 9Correlation between the academic background of education of guardians and the perception level of oculoplastic clinic at the department of ophthalmology (p = 0.383). Percentage of perception level in each categories of educational background. |
![]() | Figure 10Correlation between the academic background of education of guardians and perception level that oculoplastic surgery can be done at both eye clinic and a plastic surgery clinic (p = 0.609). Percentage of perception level in each categories of educational background. |
![]() | Figure 11Distribution of respondent in quastionnaire. Question is ‘economic status of guardians of pediatric oculoplastic patients’. |
![]() | Figure 12Correlation between the economic status of guardians and perception level of oculoplastic clinic at the department of ophthalmology (p = 0.425). Percentage of perception level in each categories of economic states. |
![]() | Figure 13Correlation between the economic status of guardians and perception level that oculoplastic surgery can be done at both eye clinic and a plastic surgery clinic (p = 0.208). Percentage of perception level in each categories of economic states. |
![]() | Figure 14Correlation between the way of introduced university hospital and perception level of oculoplastic clinic at the department of ophthalmology (p = 0.783). Percentage of perception level in each categories of the ways that introduced patients to universty hostpital. |
![]() | Figure 15Correlation between the way of introduced university hospital and perception level that oculoplastic surgery can be done at both eye clinic and a plastic surgery clinic (p = 0.711). Percentage of perception level in each categories of the ways that introduced patients to universty hostpital. |
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