Closing Communication Gaps in Eye Care

Study findings highlight communication barriers in ophthalmology and outline a structured framework designed to support understanding, expectation-setting, and adherence.

By
Kathryn Wighton
April 20, 2026
4 min

Conexiant

At a Glance

Category	Detail
Condition
Key Mechanisms	Structured communication strategies, including the O.D.I. method, to enhance patient understanding and adherence.
Target Population
Care Setting

Key Highlights

Only 26.6% of patients reported strong adherence to treatment.
Physicians and patients identified time constraints as a major barrier to effective communication.
The O.D.I. method (Observe, Question, Intervene) was proposed to improve patient-provider interactions.
Misalignment between physician expectations and patient beliefs can lead to dissatisfaction.
Structured communication may enhance patient understanding and trust.
Further studies are needed to assess the effects of the framework on clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

Verify patient understanding of diagnoses and treatment options.

Management

Implement structured communication strategies during consultations.
Provide training for physicians in effective communication skills.

Monitoring & Follow-up

Assess patient adherence and understanding regularly.

Risks

Miscommunication may lead to decreased treatment adherence and patient dissatisfaction.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients in ophthalmic care settings, primarily in Europe.

Patients often struggle with understanding their conditions and treatment options.

Clinical Best Practices

Utilize open-ended questions to clarify patient perspectives in time-limited consultations.
Conclude visits with a summary and ask patients to restate next steps.
Provide short written materials to reinforce comprehension.