Zayn Al-Timimi

Research Title: What matters to patients undergoing glaucoma surgery? A Qualitative Study and Discrete Choice Experiment

Supervisor: Prof. Lisa Keay

Co-supervisor: Dr. Hamish Dunn

Abstract

Numerous surgical options are available for glaucoma, each of which differs in target population, out-of-pocket cost, risks, efficacy, and a range of other parameters. Each of these attributes needs to be considered when determining the most appropriate option for a patient, ideally as a shared decision. In clinical practice, an ophthalmologist considers the evidence base for the complete risk/benefit profile for all available procedures to determine the most appropriate choices for the individual patient and uses their communication skills to present evidence-based recommendations to them. Yet patients rarely have the same understanding of their disease and treatment options as their doctors. The differing perspectives of patients and clinicians may also lead to a disparity in treatment preferences and priorities.

The emergence of new surgical techniques has brought better outcomes and more choices for management, albeit with consequent complexity in decision making and navigating options for care. However, our understanding of patient perspectives and preferences has not kept pace with these advances. Improving our understanding of patients’ perspectives is essential to enabling holistic, individualised treatment and empowering patients in shared-decision making. To meet the ideals of patient-centred care, we need to understand how patients consider options and make choices when it comes to considering glaucoma surgery. This thesis aims effectively answer this knowledge gap using a qualitative study to explore patient perspectives and inform the subsequent design of a discrete choice experiment (DCE), to evaluate patient preferences and priorities regarding surgical attributes.

Biography

Zayn Al-Timimi is currently undertaking a Masters of Vision Science with the UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science while completing his undergraduate Doctor of Medicine degree at the Coffs Harbour Rural Clinical School. Current research is focussed on evaluating factors which matter to glaucoma patients when considering glaucoma surgery. Previous research has looked into glaucoma severity at presentation and risk factors for late presentation in rural Australia, and glaucoma diagnostic criteria in prevalence studies. Zayn is passionate about rural healthcare and outcomes, patient-focussed healthcare, and value-based healthcare. Personal interests include running, hiking, cycling, social hockey, and cinema.

Education

BMed (Hons, Class I), MD (University of New South Wales) – Expected Completion 2024

Masters of Vision Science (MRes) Candidate – Expected Completion 2025

Awards

2023 Glaucoma Australia Kathleen Holmes Scholarship Award for Runner-up Best Trainee Presentation

Conference Attendance

RANZCO 2022

ANZGS 2023

RMA 2022, 2023

Affliations and Memberships

Student Membership, ACRRM (Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine)