Skip to main content

  • Boosting Patient Engagement in the MI-SIGHT Program

    By Lynda Seminara
    Selected by Henry D. Jampel, MD, MHS
    Add to My Bookmarks

    Journal Highlights

    Ophthalmology Glaucoma, May/June 2023

    Download PDF

    The Michigan Screening and Inter­vention for Glaucoma and Eye Health Through Telemedicine (MI-SIGHT) program is aimed at improving glau­coma detection rates. This approach to screening and care navigation is geared to high-risk, medically underserved communities. Elam et al. explored the effectiveness of methods to recruit MI-SIGHT participants and found that recruitment beyond the clinic increased participation significantly.

    The study was conducted among the initial participants of the MI-SIGHT program, who were asked “How did you hear about the MI-SIGHT pro­gram?” Their responses were sum­marized (overall and per clinic) to compare clinic-based and community-based recruitment strategies. The main outcome measure was the proportion of recruits who became engaged in the clinic setting versus elsewhere.

    The initial 647 patients were re­cruited in the first 11 months of the study; their average age was 54.4 years. Nearly 61% were female, approxi­mately 46% were Black, and roughly 10% were Hispanic. Two clinics were involved: a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Flint and a free clinic in Ypsilanti. Responses were missing for two patients from the free clinic. Overall, 168 participants (26%) learned of the MI-SIGHT program via a phone call from either clinic. An­other 112 (17%) were informed by a friend, and 100 (16%) were notified by nonmedical clinic staff. Other partici­pants discovered the program through a doctor (n = 77 [12%]), an in-clinic brochure or flyer (n = 51 [8%]), a com­munity flyer (n = 44 [7%]), the clinic website or social media (n = 28 [4%]), or another means (n = 65 [10%]). By extending recruitment efforts beyond the clinic, as recommended by the MI-SIGHT Community Advisory Board, program participation increased by 265% at the free clinic and 46% at the FQHC.

    These findings corroborate existing evidence of community-based research being most successful when it reflects the unique needs of community mem­bers. This type of outreach boosts the potential to reach diverse and specific subgroups, which often is challenging in medical research.

    The original article can be found here.