Neovascular age‐related macular degeneration patient questions for their eye care providers and preferences for education

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine: (a) the types of questions that neovascular age‐related macular degeneration patients had for their ophthalmologists, and (b) whether the patients thought that a pre‐visit neovascular age‐related macular degeneration question prompt list and video would be a useful intervention to improve health care provider–patient communication. Methods Adult neovascular age‐related macular degeneration patients attending visits for treatment injections were recruited at two ophthalmology practices and interviewed. They were shown a list of questions and asked to check the ones they had for their eye care provider. They were also asked whether a pre‐visit question prompt list and video would be useful to improve provider–patient communication. Results Fifty neovascular age‐related macular degeneration patients participated. Patients had a mean of 11.2 questions (standard deviation = 7.4; range 0–26) for their eye care providers. The most frequently checked questions included “How likely is it that I am going to go blind?” (70%), “What causes macular degeneration?” (64%), “What can I do to prevent vision loss?” (64%), and “What happens if I miss an injection visit?” (56%). Ninety‐eight percent of patients felt completing a question prompt list to use during a visit would be helpful and 96% thought having patients watch a video before completing the question prompt list was a good idea. Conclusions Neovascular macular degeneration patients have many questions for their eye care providers. Innovative ways to address patient questions should be tested and developed.