Abstract
Purpose :
The goal of knowledge translation activities is to incorporate research findings into clinical practice and to initiate research activities that fulfill a clinical need. However, this exchange of information can encounter barriers. Low vision rehabilitation professionals have heavy workloads and lack the time to read and synthesize research literature. At the same time, researchers focus their publications on an academic audience, often overlooking summaries that would facilitate clinical implementation. We present an online directory of briefs designed to promote the uptake of validated tools relevant for low vision into clinical practice.
Methods :
The Outils pour la Réadaptation de la VISion (ORVIS: www.orvis.vision) identifies valid and accurate measurement tools available in French, or in French and English, and that are appropriate for use with visually impaired clients. These tools, used by both practitioners and researchers, support functional, perceptual, cognitive and/or psychological assessments. Each tool is summarized in a descriptive brief featuring its metrological characteristics and lists the references of the scientific studies consulted. The project management team includes a researcher, two research professionals and two information professionals from the Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille. Two clinicians consolidate the team to form an advisory committee ensuring an ongoing linkage between research and clinical priorities.
Results :
As of December 2019, 29 briefs are available free of charge. The consultation statistics reflect the interest generated by the directory. Since its launch in November 2015, www.orvis.vision has received 15,525 visits from 9,343 unique visitors. Users send comments and requests for information to the project team via a dedicated e-mail address. These are researchers, clinicians as well as students who report their willingness to use the tools identified by ORVIS in their work.
Conclusions :
ORVIS will continue its work by focusing on three objectives: 1) to continue to select the tools to be documented in a knowledge transfer perspective; 2) to consider translating relevant validated tests available only in English into French; and 3) to promote the directory widely through a communication plan.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.