NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
PDF on ERIC Download full text
ERIC Number: EJ1142797
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0145-482X
EISSN: N/A
The Research Priorities of People with Visual Impairments in the Netherlands
Schölvinck, Anne-Floor M.; Pittens, Carina A. C. M.; Broerse, Jacqueline E. W.
Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, v111 n3 p201-217 May-Jun 2017
Introduction: Despite the relatively high prevalence and challenges of visual impairments, limited funding is available for ophthalmologic research in the Netherlands. The research needs of people with visual impairments could aid the ophthalmological research community to optimally distribute research resources. The objective of the study presented here was to identify daily life problems, concerns, and wishes for future research from people with ophthalmological disorders, visual impairments, or deaf-blindness in order to set a research agenda that provides directions for future ophthalmology research. Methods: A four-phase participatory research approach was carried out using mixed methods to stimulate needs-articulation. Eight focus group discussions, seven feedback meetings, and seven interviews were organized, in which 89 consumers were consulted. Surveys to prioritize the topics were developed for both the medical and socio-psychological topics, which were completed by 784 and 631 respondents, respectively. Results: For the medical research agenda, research directly aimed at the cause of the ophthalmological disorders was considered more important than research aimed at improving quality of life. The themes "new and regenerative medicine," "cause and disease mechanism," "prevention and diagnosis," and "improvement of current treatments" were prioritized as high. For the socio-psychological agenda, needs concerning the "improvement of technologies for people with visual impairments" and "navigation, orientation, and accessibility of public space" were considered top priorities. Discussion: The identified research needs were relatively uniform across different consumer groups, providing opportunities for joint action. The research agenda included themes that can be taken up by "traditional" ophthalmological research, more broadly defined health care--related research, and more policy-influencing strategies. Implications for practitioners: The research needs could help researchers and policymakers in ophthalmology and visual impairment research to guide their research focus and legislation priorities.
American Foundation for the Blind. 11 Penn Plaza Suite 300, New York, NY 10001. Tel: 800-232-5463; Tel: 212-502-7600; e-mail: afbinfo@afb.net; Web site: http://www.afb.org/store
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Netherlands
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A