The 2021 Gordon Sanderson scholar, Pratik Chandra

Dr Pratik Chandra, a recent medical graduate from the University of Otago, has been awarded the 2021 Gordon Sanderson Scholarship to investigate the benefits of patient education to improve glaucoma therapy adherence.

Dr Chandra said he felt honoured and was grateful for the opportunity to work alongside glaucoma specialist and Glaucoma New Zealand (GNZ) chair Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer and neuro-ophthalmology clinical research fellow Dr Michael Wang. “Receiving the Gordon Sanderson Scholarship felt like a positive recognition of the research work I have done over the last few years, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to glaucoma research and build on the work of previous scholarship recipients.”

The research project is one of the first of its kind in New Zealand, he said. “Low illness knowledge leads to reduced adherence to therapy and poor outcomes in patients with glaucoma, as well as several other chronic illnesses.”

The study builds on similar research in Australia and will be conducted via two telephone interviews – the first to determine baseline disease knowledge, adherence and provide education, while the four-week follow-up will assess if education had effected changes to disease knowledge and adherence, Dr Chandra explained. The study is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022.

The scholarship was established in memory of Associate Professor Gordon Sanderson, a founding trustee of GNZ and passionate eye health educator in both New Zealand and Australia. It is awarded annually to an optometry or medical trainee from the universities of Otago, Sydney or Auckland for research or education relating to glaucoma.