P13S04: Post-operative care for cataract surgery

Bottom line: Information on post-operative care for cataract surgery was used to maintain the management of the patient (follow up with the ophthalmologist). There were no information-related patient health outcomes.

Level 1 outcome (situational relevance): On July 31, 2008, P13 did a search after an encounter with a patient. They retrieved one information hit about post-operative care for Cataract surgery. The search objective was: to address a clinical question. “I had seen a patient [a woman around 80 years old] who had cataract surgery about one month prior and she was presenting with sudden worsening of her vision in one eye, in the eye that she had the surgery in. [...] She was seeing black lines as well, and I had suggested that she'd follow-up.” According to P13, e-Therapeutics+ was the only source for information, and the found information was relevant.

Level 2 outcome (cognitive impact): One hit was associated with a report of positive cognitive impact (see table). Regarding confirmation, reassurance, P13 stated: “[This information confirms I’m doing the right thing] because [...] I had suggested that she'd follow-up as soon as possible with the ophthalmologist to have that assessed. [...] I was reassured when I read it because I figured that, that was something to be concerned about…and this sort of reassured me that this was the case, that they do need that follow up…that urgent follow-up. [...] I was reassured that what I was thinking was along the right lines. ”

Retrieved information hit:

1) e-Therapeutics+ (CIRT): Therapeutics tab – Keyword: Cataract surgery – Post-operative care – Therapeutics tips (P13S04H01)

Level 3 outcome (information use): Information on post-operative care for Cataract surgery was retrieved, and used to maintain (be more certain about) the management of the patient (information used as presented in e-Therapeutics+). “[The information was used] to maintain the management [of the patient], [...] she [the patient] was referred by her ophthalmologist, so it justified that we maintain that [the follow ups with the ophthalmologist].”

Level 4 outcome (patient health): There was no clear relationship between the information use and patient health outcomes.

Levels of outcome of information-seeking

Situational relevance	Positive cognitive impact	Information use	Patient health
Address a clinical question	Confirmed Reassured	Be more certain	No outcome

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