The role of lived experience eye care champions in improving awareness and access to eye care services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism

Karas, Marek, O'Brien, Donna, Campbell, Lance, Lunness, Rebecca, Kennedy, Joanne, McGill, Grace, Kill, Stephen and Donaldson, Lisa 2024. The role of lived experience eye care champions in improving awareness and access to eye care services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism. British Journal of Learning Disabilities 52 (3) , pp. 489-499. 10.1111/bld.12594

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Abstract

Background: Documented inequalities in access to eye care for people with learning disabilities and/or autism are caused by poor uptake of primary eye care services, poor identification of eye problems, lack of signposting and reasonable adjustments of existing services, concerns about costs of care and the low priority historically given to these issues in eye care policy at a regional and national level. In 2019, the charity SeeAbility employed four eye care champions (ECCs) with lived experience of learning disability and/or autism to work in local communities in London and the Northwest of England. They provided peer-to-peer support on understanding the need for good eye health and engaged with policy makers, and learning disability, autism and eye care professionals at the local, regional and national levels to influence both the clinical practice of individual practitioners (within existing service/pathway models) and more widely to influence the commissioning of the Easy Eye Care pathway. This study explores the experiences of these ECCs. Methods: The study was conducted in April and May 2023. A case study approach was used to describe the experiences of the ECCs from March 2019 to March 2023. Data from structured interviews with the four ECCs and workload analysis were triangulated to provide a multifaceted understanding of this novel health promotion project. Findings: The ECCs found the role useful and reported that confidence in their practice and impact grew with time but they required ongoing support in the role. A good understanding of the promotional messages was reported. Developing a good network of contacts at an early stage, both people with learning disabilities and healthcare professionals, was key. Relationships with professionals were supportive and positive and a positive emotive response to their lived experience was reported in these interactions. Conclusions: From the perspective of the ECCs, the role is useful and beneficial. The work suggests some key recommendations for future development which include planning to build networks, support in presentation and communications skills and defining key messages and knowledge. Confidence of the ECCs builds with time in the role but also needs support the emotive impact of their lived experiences on audiences is highlighted. There is a need to evaluate how the programme is perceived by those who interact with it and how it changes behaviours which leads to better health outcomes.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Optometry and Vision Sciences
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1354-4187
Funders:	None
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	12 March 2024
Date of Acceptance:	23 February 2024
Last Modified:	19 Aug 2024 14:01
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/167155

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