An exploratory study of the impact of non-medical eye clinic support services (ECSS) in hospital eye clinics

详细信息	查看全文 | 推荐本文 |

• 作者：Graeme Douglas ; Peter Spurgeon and Sue Pavey
• 刊名：International Congress Series
• 出版年：2005
• 期刊代码：297_05315131
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：2005
• 卷：1282
• 期：Complete
• 页码：105-108
• 文件大小：64 K

摘要

class="h4">Background/Method

While a number of ECSSs have developed in the 1990s, a recent RNIB survey concluded that there was a ‘patchy level of provision’ in the UK. Nevertheless, it was also apparent that there was no clear way of measuring the impact of such services. This exploratory study gathered interview data from staff working in 9 eye clinics and related social services departments in England. The interviews explored 60 professionals' perceptions of ECSS impact. Additionally, 20 service users (aged 50 years and over) from three of the clinics were interviewed.

class="h4">Results

The suggested benefits of ECSSs were as follows: (1) improved access (through prioritisation of patients to external support services); (2) increased speed of access to these services; (3) a suggestion of improved patient throughput within the clinic; (4) a greater awareness within the hospital of issues related to low vision patients; (5) users emphasised access to someone who could listen to them as well as providing information about the registration process or services available. Nevertheless, the evidence underpinning these propositions is largely anecdotal or based upon specific case studies. Quantitative data to enable statistical analysis were almost universally missing. Additionally, while some patients reported benefits of the ECSS, many did not have a clear understanding of different elements of the overall services (medical and social) they receive.

class="h4">Conclusions

Conclusive evidence as to the impact of ECSSs would most likely require a prospective study which tracked patients through the various services.