Can Australian general practitioners effectively screen for diabetic retinopathy? A pilot study

17 GPs from a Brisbane Division of General Practice were recruited to participate in a clinical upskilling intervention pilot. Participant scores on clinical assessments were used to analyse GP sensitivity and specificity in screening for diabetic retinopathy. Results were compared with the NHMRC guidelines for acceptable screening accuracy.Ten of the 17 GPs (59%) achieved a screening sensitivity of 25% or less in the pre test, three (18%) a sensitivity of 50%, and four (23%) achieved a sensitivity of ≥ 75%. In the post-test, all seventeen GPs achieved between 50 and 100% sensitivity. In the pre-test, thirteen (76%) GPs achieved a screening specificity of less than or equal to 50%, and four (23%) a specificity of 75 %. In the post test, four GPs (23%) rated a screening specificity of less than 50%, six (35%) achieved a specificity of 66%, and seven (41%) 100% specificity.24% of GPs met the NHMRC diabetic retinopathy screening criterion prior to the workshop, and 94% following this brief training intervention. Australian GPs are capable of a much more significant role in community screening for diabetic retinopathy.Diabetes mellitus constitutes a major Australian public health problem. It has been identified as one of our national health priority areas[1], and recent data suggests that up to 7.5% of the Australian adult population now suffers from this condition. After 20 years of diabetes most patients can be expected to develop diabetic retinopathy[3] which, if undetected, is likely to cause significant visual loss or blindness. A recent Australian survey recorded almost 1/3 of patients with self-reported diabetes having diabetic retinopathy.[4] However, if detected early by appropriate retinal examination, followed and treated by laser photocoagulation, most patients can be saved from major visual loss. [5-7]Our National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines on the management of diabetic retinopathy, recommend regular ocular review to detect, trea