scholarly journals Utilising the Orthoptic Skill Set to Improve Access to Eye Care for Adults with Severe/Profound Learning Disabilities–A Service Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
Kathy Diplock ◽  
Jignasa Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Improve Access

scholarly journals Eye care delivery models to improve access to eye care for Indigenous peoples in high-income countries: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e004484
Author(s):  
Helen Burn ◽  
Lisa Hamm ◽  
Joanna Black ◽  
Anthea Burnett ◽  
Matire Harwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
High Income ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Service Delivery Models ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Delivery Models ◽  
Improve Access

PurposeGlobally, there are ~370 million Indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples typically experience worse health compared with non-Indigenous people, including higher rates of avoidable vision impairment. Much of this gap in eye health can be attributed to barriers that impede access to eye care services. We conducted a scoping review to identify and summarise service delivery models designed to improve access to eye care for Indigenous peoples in high-income countries.MethodsSearches were conducted on MEDLINE, Embase and Global Health in January 2019 and updated in July 2020. All study designs were eligible if they described a model of eye care service delivery aimed at populations with over 50% Indigenous peoples. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full-text articles and completed data charting. We extracted data on publication details, study context, service delivery interventions, outcomes and evaluations, engagement with Indigenous peoples and access dimensions targeted. We summarised findings descriptively following thematic analysis.ResultsWe screened 2604 abstracts and 67 studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria. Studies were focused on Indigenous peoples in Australia (n=45), USA (n=11), Canada (n=7), New Zealand (n=2), Taiwan (n=1) and Greenland (n=1). The main disease focus was diabetic retinopathy (n=30, 45%), followed by ‘all eye care’ (n=16, 24%). Most studies focused on targeted interventions to increase availability of services. Fewer than one-third of studies reported involving Indigenous communities when designing the service. 41 studies reflected on whether the model improved access, but none undertook rigorous evaluation or quantitative assessment.ConclusionsThe geographical and clinical scope of service delivery models to improve access to eye care for Indigenous peoples in high-income countries is narrow, with most studies focused on Australia and services for diabetic retinopathy. More and better engagement with Indigenous communities is required to design and implement accessible eye care services.

scholarly journals Commentary on “promoting positive communication environments: a service evaluation”: the communication partnership as a focus for change

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Bunning
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Communication ◽  
Communication Environments ◽  
Adults With Learning Disabilities ◽  
Instructional Training

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to debate the complexities of intervening with adults with learning disabilities and support staff in the natural environment and challenges of evaluating change. Design/methodology/approach A critical review of the relevance and amenability of communication partnerships for interventions that promote communication growth in context was carried out. Particular consideration was given to the mechanism for change and implications for research design. Findings The communication partnership is a reasonable focus for interventions aiming to promote the communication of adults with learning disabilities. Combining instructional training with in situ coaching appears to provide the most effective approach. Bringing about change within the dynamic context of communication is challenging and may benefit from an open, investigative design. Originality/value This paper synthesises the available evidence on intervening in the communication environment and debates the potential of realist evaluation as a context-focused research design.

Importance of eye care in meeting the needs of patients with learning disabilities

BMJ ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 346 (jun25 1) ◽  
pp. f4044-f4044 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. De Smit ◽  
C. Bunce ◽  
R. Duggan ◽  
E. O'Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Eye Care

scholarly journals Promoting positive communication environments: a service evaluation

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 192-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunden Patel ◽  
Laura Roche ◽  
Nicola Coward ◽  
Jacqueline Meek ◽  
Celia Harding
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Service User ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Communication Environments

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an evaluation of a programme of training and support provided to staff, which aimed to encourage supported communication environments for people with learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach Training, monitoring and support for communication, specifically augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies, was provided by speech and language therapy staff to two residential services over 46 weeks. Staff and service user communications were observed pre- and post-intervention. Findings In one provision there was an increase in service user initiations and the use of some AAC strategies by support staff. In the other provision there was no change in service user initiations and a decrease in the range of AAC strategies used. It appears that some forms for AAC remain challenging for staff to implement. Originality/value This evaluation explores ways of using specialist support services to improve communication environments for people with learning difficulties. Possible reasons for differences in the outcome of the intervention are discussed. Future research into the types of communication interactions experienced by people with learning disabilities across the range of communication styles may be useful so that support staff can be better helped to provide sustained and enriched communication environments.

Annual health checks for people with learning disability

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-139
Author(s):  
Jessica Maddams ◽  
David Pearson
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Health Checks ◽  
Unmet Health Needs ◽  
Adults With Learning Disabilities ◽  
Comprehensive Health ◽  
General Practices ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Improve Access

Annual health checks for adults with learning disabilities are now being offered in general practices across the UK, to improve access to mainstream primary healthcare and detection of unmet health needs. This article will cover the rationale behind annual health checks and the evidence regarding the health benefits of comprehensive health checking in this group. We will also summarise the requirements for annual health checks specified in the learning disabilities Directed Enhanced Service (DES) in England, before discussing the barriers to and strategies for undertaking effective health checks in general practice.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document