Mental health support across the sight loss pathway: a qualitative exploration of eye care patients, optometrists, and ECLOs.
Journal
Eye (London, England)
ISSN: 1476-5454
Titre abrégé: Eye (Lond)
Pays: England
ID NLM: 8703986
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
08 2023
08 2023
Historique:
received:
06
05
2022
accepted:
16
12
2022
revised:
29
11
2022
medline:
4
8
2023
pubmed:
11
1
2023
entrez:
10
1
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The process of becoming visually impaired or blind is undoubtedly a highly emotional experience, requiring practical and psychological support. Information on mental health support provision in the UK across the sight-loss pathway, however, is largely unknown, especially amongst healthcare practitioners that are often sought after for advice: the referring optometrist and eye clinic liaison officer (ECLO). This study aims to ascertain the perceived accessibility and quality of mental health support across the sight-loss pathway. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with patients with a diagnosed eye condition who had received care from a hospital eye service, referring optometrists, and ECLOs. Following interview transcription, results were synthesised in a narrative analysis. A total of 28 participants were included in the analysis, of which 17 were participants with various eye conditions, five were referring optometrists, and five were ECLOs. After analysis, three broad themes emerged: (1) The emotional trauma of diagnosis (2) Availability of mental health support; (3) The point where mental health support is most needed across the sight-loss pathway. Several patients reporting that they had received no offer of support nor were they signposted to any possible sources. Referring optometrists and ECLO's agreed. It is important that referring optometrists are aware of the need for mental health support services and can signpost to local support services including the third sector anytime during the referral process. Future large-scale, UK-wide research into referral practice and signposting for mental health support for patients is warranted, to identify how services can be improved in order to ensure that the wellbeing of patients is maintained.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The process of becoming visually impaired or blind is undoubtedly a highly emotional experience, requiring practical and psychological support. Information on mental health support provision in the UK across the sight-loss pathway, however, is largely unknown, especially amongst healthcare practitioners that are often sought after for advice: the referring optometrist and eye clinic liaison officer (ECLO). This study aims to ascertain the perceived accessibility and quality of mental health support across the sight-loss pathway.
METHODS
Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with patients with a diagnosed eye condition who had received care from a hospital eye service, referring optometrists, and ECLOs. Following interview transcription, results were synthesised in a narrative analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 28 participants were included in the analysis, of which 17 were participants with various eye conditions, five were referring optometrists, and five were ECLOs. After analysis, three broad themes emerged: (1) The emotional trauma of diagnosis (2) Availability of mental health support; (3) The point where mental health support is most needed across the sight-loss pathway. Several patients reporting that they had received no offer of support nor were they signposted to any possible sources. Referring optometrists and ECLO's agreed.
CONCLUSION
It is important that referring optometrists are aware of the need for mental health support services and can signpost to local support services including the third sector anytime during the referral process. Future large-scale, UK-wide research into referral practice and signposting for mental health support for patients is warranted, to identify how services can be improved in order to ensure that the wellbeing of patients is maintained.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36627444
doi: 10.1038/s41433-022-02373-z
pii: 10.1038/s41433-022-02373-z
pmc: PMC10397192
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
2554-2558Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s).
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