Elsevier

International Congress Series

Volume 1282, September 2005, Pages 226-229
International Congress Series

Why every hospital should have an eye clinic liaison officer

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ics.2005.05.199Get rights and content

Abstract

In 2001, RNIB produced a document called Patients Talking 2. A total of 200 people with sight loss, who were regular attendees at eye clinics throughout the UK, was interviewed. The findings indicated that eye clinic patients were leaving clinics feeling helpless, depressed, and unsupported. Why are ophthalmology patients treated differently from patients with other health problems? It would never be tolerated for patients to be told they had cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or a multitude of other conditions without follow up, either by providing information, support, counselling, or treatment of some kind. Yet daily this is exactly what happens to eye patients. Sight loss costs money. Without early intervention, accidents and hospitalisation are more likely; if rehabilitation is not offered in the early stages of sight loss, independence skills are lost. The ability to remain at home and self-caring is less likely culminating in the need for residential/nursing care. This can all be avoided by early identification of sight loss and addressing the difficulties that accompany it. The eye clinic liaison officer (ECLO) is the first important step in the direction of early identification of people with vision loss. The ECLO can provide emotional support, information, signposting, and referral. The ECLO is the bridge between health and social services, and is there for the benefit of the patient. Every hospital should have an eye clinic liaison officer and every social services department should be looking to joint-fund one. Every patient with sight loss needs to hope that his/her eye clinic employs one.

Introduction

In 2001, the Royal National Institute for the Blind published a document called Patients Talking 2. A total of 200 people with sight loss, who regularly attended eye clinics throughout the United Kingdom, were interviewed. The findings showed that following a hospital appointment, 24% of people felt confused by the news they were given; only 37% received information on low vision services, 40% was given information on their eye condition, and 70% wanted someone to talk to someone about their fears and concerns, but only 19% had been offered this opportunity. The conclusion of this study stated that while there are a number of hospitals which provide very good services, practice varies widely around the UK. By making a number of simple changes, eye clinics can prevent the kind of experiences that RNIB has uncovered.

Why are ophthalmology patients treated differently from patients with other health problems? It is unlikely in other specialties to have patients informed that they have a life-changing health condition without offering that patient information, advice, support, counselling, discussion regarding treatment options, further referral, or equipment before they leave the clinic. Yet this is what is happening daily to eye clinic patients.

Section snippets

Results

Loss of vision is often not ‘curable.’ There may be no medical or surgical treatment available to improve the patient's sight. In this case, the patient may well be discharged as the hospital has nothing further to offer. Many patients do not know the name of their eye condition at the time of discharge and may be unaware of the long-term effects on their vision.

One patient who attended an eye clinic that treated wet macular degeneration was diagnosed with dry macular disease. The patient was

Discussion

Most, if not all, eye clinics are aware that there is a need for some form of clinic support for people receiving a diagnosis of failing vision; many clinics have ‘named’ nurses, who provide a degree of support and information for patients diagnosed with sight loss. What they do not have, however, is the necessary time and, in some cases, the extensive knowledge of local and national services required. RNIB provides a course for people wanting to provide eye clinic support. The course is one

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Cited by (5)

  • Overcoming barriers to low-vision rehabilitation services: Improving the continuum of care

    2013, Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology
    Citation Excerpt :

    For developed countries, such as Canada, efforts to overcome access barriers focus on bringing clients to services or vice versa. The United Kingdom, for example, has succeeded in introducing a new facilitator profession, eye clinic liaison officers, that assist clients in their quest for appropriate information and resources.19 Recent follow-up evaluation has indicated that eye clinic liaison officers primarily provide educational information and emotional support, in addition to referral for further appropriate services.20

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