Abstract
Purpose :
Despite the benefits of low vision services (LVS), a discrepancy in the need and the uptake of these services has been reported internationally. Only a few studies examined the professional’s perspective regarding barriers and facilitators in accessing LVS. This study aims to explore these parameters from both the perspective of visually impaired people and professionals from different eye care providers in the Netherlands.
Methods :
A sample of older adults with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma (n=14) and a sample of healthcare professionals including ophthalmologists, low vision optometrists and LVS professionals (n=17) participated in this study. Semi structured interviews with patients and professionals were conducted and were analyzed with framework analysis using Atlas.ti software.
Results :
Both patients and professionals consider having self-advocacy, motivation, social support, acceptance of the impairment, high participation needs and experienced negative impact of the impairment to facilitate access to LVS. Having good communication skills, paying attention to patient’s LVS needs and informing them about LVS as a provider, as well as having a long patient-provider relationship were also identified as facilitators. In addition, professionals perceived communication between providers regarding LVS, the presence of low vision consultation hours in the ophthalmic practice and national service provision of LVS to facilitate referral to LVS. Barriers in accessing LVS that have been identified in both samples are being less assertive, and having low motivation, low acceptance of the impairment and lack of awareness about LVS as a patient. Besides that, lack of time and absence of communication about LVS by eye care providers to patients were mentioned as barriers. According to professionals, low participation needs of patients, short disease duration, short patient-provider relationship and unavailable care coordination hinder referral to LVS as well.
Conclusions :
Findings imply that provider’s lack of information provision about LVS, especially to patients who are less assertive, hamper referral to LVS. Providers should have attention for patient’s LVS needs and actively inform them and their social network about LVS to facilitate access to LVS. Educating and training providers about how and when to address LVS may help to reduce barriers in the referral pathway to LVS.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.