Transforming pediatric ophthalmology for greater health equity
Omer Jamal is a former master’s student in the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto and Leong Centre Scholar. He provides a summary of his graduate thesis, which addresses significant gaps in the integration of social determinants of health within electronic health records in pediatric ophthalmology. His research demonstrates how factors such as economic instability and social isolation affect medical visit attendance and clinical outcomes for children, particularly those from marginalized communities.
I am excited to share that I will soon be starting my journey at Ross University School of Medicine, where I will pursue my dream of becoming a physician. I am dedicated to gaining the knowledge and skills needed to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care and to make a meaningful impact in medicine. I look forward to embracing every opportunity for growth and learning that comes my way.
My recently completed and successfully defended thesis titled, “Exploring the Relationship Between the Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequities in Pediatric Ophthalmology” highlights a significant gap in how social determinants of health (SDH) are integrated into electronic health records in the Canadian healthcare system, specifically in pediatric ophthalmology. The findings show how SDH affects medical visit attendance and clinical outcomes for children, particularly those from marginalized communities. Factors such as economic instability, poor neighborhood conditions, and social isolation were linked to lower attendance and adverse clinical outcomes, exacerbating healthcare disparities and leading to delayed or missed diagnoses and treatments that are crucial for preventing severe and lifelong visual impairments.
This underscores the urgent need for healthcare systems to reform the way SDH are collected, analyzed, and utilized in clinical practice. This approach would not only improve patient care, but also promote more equitable health outcomes across diverse populations in Ontario. My thesis advocates for a shift towards a holistic approach to health that incorporates social determinants as a fundamental component of patient health information and care strategies. My recent publication, “Social Determinants of Health in Pediatric Ophthalmology Patients: Availability of Data in the Electronic Health Record and Association with Clinic Attendance,” details these findings and further explores the implication of my research.
To advance these findings, my team and I have proposed a two-step knowledge translation plan. Step 1 involves disseminating the results to raise awareness, collaborating with patient partners and clinicians, and refining the analysis on other ophthalmology disease groups. Step 2 focuses on solidifying the constructs and associated domains identified through qualitative research, a systematic review, and the application of conceptual frameworks to develop new policies and practices. Future studies should explore specific SDH barriers faced by marginalized populations in accessing care, using qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups with patients, families, and healthcare providers. These studies will help determine which SDH should be prioritized in data collection and analysis. Overall, enhancing access to quality eye care for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status or other factors, is a crucial step toward achieving child health equity.
