"Hello… I'm Here!" A Co-Productive Qualitative Study Involving Older People With Vision Impairment and Their Experiences of Acute Hospital Care.

Abstract

To understand the experience and care needs of older people living with vision impairment in the acute hospital setting. A qualitative study using co-productive user-based design. Seven older people living with vision impairment and six healthcare students collaborated in a series of six researcher facilitated co-productive workshops. Recorded data were analysed using thematic analysis. The needs of older people with vision impairment are often overlooked in the acute hospital setting. Four themes identified (1) Trauma and Loss; (2) Vulnerability and Feeling Invisible; (3) Being disabled, and (4) Feeling safe. Trauma associated with vision loss was acute, particularly if acquired during the hospital admission. The experience of vision impairment coupled with illness served to heighten feelings of vulnerability and needs were often overlooked creating a sense of invisibility. The hospital environment was experienced as disabling, and care needs were not always acknowledged. Supportive communications and access to own audio/supportive devices were vital in supporting a sense of safety. Our study is significant in highlighting the increasing global importance of vision aware care in the context of an ageing population. The study is also unique in illustrating the potential for inclusive and creative co-productive approaches which engage both older people with sight loss and healthcare students to promote vision aware practice. Supporting vision impaired older people through diagnosis, care and discharge is vital for promoting equitable positive health outcomes and quality of life. What problem did the study address? Despite a high prevalence of sight loss within the older patient population, it is unclear how the acute hospital setting supports people living with vision impairment. What were the main findings? The hospital environment and lack of vision aware care can impact negatively on the care experience resulting in poorer physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Where and whom will the research have an impact? This work will inform the development of vision aware care educational resources, policy, and practice. Vision aware care is vital for supporting quality of life and health outcomes for all older people. EQUATOR guidelines have been adhered to using the COREQ checklist. The charitable organisation Sheffield Royal Society of Blind (SRSB) was involved in the planning of the research to ensure that volunteer participants could take part and the conduct of the research was inclusive to their needs.