A randomised controlled trial on the effect of a virtual three-dimensional eye model on patient satisfaction

Patients forget up to 80% of verbal communication. Visual aids improve understanding and information retention. A virtual, three-dimensional, interactive eye model (the One Right Eye model) is a new tool for eye care providers. The utility of three-dimensional models has been studied in other specialities, but never in ophthalmology. This study investigates whether the One Right Eye model improves patient satisfaction and understanding during ophthalmic outpatient appointments. In a single-centre, open-label, randomised controlled trial, 92 patients were divided into two groups: a control group receiving a standard face-to-face consultation (n = 45) or an interventional group receiving the same consultation supplemented with a virtual eye model demonstration (n = 47). Key outcomes included patient satisfaction, understanding of their ocular condition, and rating of their explanation from their doctor. The interventional group rated their explanation from their doctor statistically significantly higher than the control group (89% versus 69% ‘very good’, p = 0.03). Trends also indicated improved understanding (81% versus 62%, ‘completely understood’, p = 0.05) and greater satisfaction (83% versus 69% ‘very satisfied’, p = 0.12) in the interventional group compared to controls. While the latter two results did not reach statistical significance, the data suggest clinical improvements. The virtual three-dimensional eye model improved patients’ perception of their explanation from their doctor and likely improved patient satisfaction and understanding of their ophthalmic condition. The One Right Eye, a virtual eyeball model, shows promise to enhance ophthalmic communication.

患者最多会遗忘80%的口头交流信息。视觉辅助工具可提升信息理解程度与留存率。虚拟三维交互式眼球模型（One Right Eye模型）是面向眼保健从业者的新型工具。三维模型的应用价值已在其他医学专科中得到研究，但尚未在眼科学领域开展相关探索。本研究旨在探究One Right Eye模型是否可改善眼科门诊就诊期间患者的满意度与病情理解度。本研究采用单中心、开放标签、随机对照试验设计，将92名患者分为两组：对照组接受标准面对面问诊（n=45），干预组则在相同问诊基础上辅以虚拟眼球模型演示（n=47）。主要结局指标包括患者满意度、对自身眼部病情的理解程度，以及对医师诊疗解释的评分。干预组对医师诊疗解释的评分显著高于对照组：89%的患者认为解释“非常好”，对照组仅为69%（p=0.03）。研究趋势还显示，与对照组相比，干预组患者的病情理解度（81%的患者表示“完全理解”，对照组为62%，p=0.05）与满意度（83%的患者表示“非常满意”，对照组为69%，p=0.12）均有提升。尽管后两项结果未达到统计学显著性，但数据仍提示存在临床获益。该虚拟三维眼球模型可提升患者对医师诊疗解释的感知质量，或可改善患者对眼科病情的满意度与理解程度。One Right Eye虚拟眼球模型有望优化眼科诊疗中的沟通效果。