“To Be Treated as a Person and Not as a Disease Entity”—Expectations of People with Visual Impairments towards Primary Healthcare: Results of the Mixed-Method Survey in Poland

Abstract

Primary care is the core part of the Polish healthcare system. Improving its quality for vulnerable populations is among the principal goals of global and national health policies. Identifying patients’ needs is critical in this process. People who are blind or have low vision often demonstrate comorbidities and require more specific healthcare. The aim of this study was to explore the needs of Polish persons with visual impairments when they use primary care services. 219 respondents answered the “Patient value” questionnaire from the project Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe (QUALICOPC) and an open question regarding additional patients’ needs. Statistical and content analyses were used. The expectations of the study group regarding primary care appeared to be higher than those described in studies among other populations. Equity and accessibility were the most valued dimensions of care. Among particular aspects of care, those connected with psychosocial competencies and awareness of disability among medical staff appeared most frequently. Some personal characteristics were associated with preferences, including age, gender, longstanding conditions, quality of life, and disability-related variables. Our study indicates a need for multilevel interventions in legislation, economics, and medical staff training, with the people-centered approach as the option maximizing chances to meet diverse healthcare needs arising from particular disabilities.

Use of electronic devices by people attending vision rehabilitation services in Italy: A study based on the device and aids registry (D.A.Re)

“…18 This social aspect of visual rehabilitation becomes increasingly important concerning not only the LVAs’ choice but the need to treat the visually impaired patient as a person and not as a disease to be treated, considering several aspects of social daily life. 19…”

“…(18) This social aspect of visual rehabilitation becomes increasingly important concerning not only the LVAs' choice but the need to treat the visually impaired patient as a person and not as a disease to be treated, considering several aspects of social daily life. (19) A strength of our study is the multicentre data collection in different low-vision services affiliated with the Italian Union for the Blind and Visually Impaired, using a standardised data collection which has previously been validated. (7) Moreover, since vision impairment is a dynamic condition, a pragmatic approach was adopted linking actual use of a given device at the moment of the clinical encounter to IADL and reading performance.…”

Blind and visually impaired persons in health care: Analysis of problems and potential solutions

“…Uticaji slepila i slabovidosti su širokog spektra, uključujući rizik od padova, kognitivnog oštećenja i demencije, depresije, invaliditeta i gubitka nezavisnosti (5,6). Njihov invaliditet dovodi do specifičnih potreba i povezan je sa većom incidencijom zdravstvenih problema i hroničnih bolesti, kao i nižim nivoom blagostanja, samoocenjivanja zdravlja i kvaliteta života u vezi sa zdrav ljem u poređenju sa opštom populacijom (7,8). Stariji ljudi često imaju komplikovanije zdravstvene potrebe od mlađih odraslih zbog dodatnog redukovanja funkcionalnih sposobnosti, fizičke bolesti i psihosocijalnih potreba.…”

“…Pored toga, informacije koje se odnose na procedure prijema u bolnicu, informacije pre prijema, formulare za pristanak za operaciju i procedure, opšte informacije o bolničkim uslugama i osoblju, informacije o lekovima, takođe su u pisanom obliku (13). Nedostatak nezavisnog pristupa ovim informacijama stvara nepotrebnu zavisnost od drugih i ugrožava privatnost i dostojanstvo slepih osoba (7).…”

“…The impacts of blindness and low vision are extensive, encompassing various risks such as falls, cognitive impairment, dementia, depression, disability, and loss of independence (5,6). People with visual disabilities have unique needs and experience a higher incidence of health problems and chronic conditions, along with lower levels of well-being, self-rated health, and health-related quality of life compared to the general population (7,8). Older individuals often encounter more complex health requirements compared to younger adults, as they may experience further functional decline, physical ailments, and psychosocial needs.…”