Risk of Injury Events in Patients With Visual Impairments: A Swedish Survey Study Among Hospital Social Workers

Abstract

Introduction: People with visual impairments (those who are blind or have low vision) are exposed to risks in everyday life, especially injury risks. This study aimed to examine experiences and practical knowledge among hospital social workers in Sweden concerning meetings with patients with visual impairments who have been affected by injury events in residential environments. Methods: Swedish hospital social workers specializing in patients with visual impairments ( n=30) answered a questionnaire comprising 14 questions. Both fixed and open-ended questions were included, allowing an analysis of both comparable numeric data and subjectively perceived experiences and opinions. Results: A majority of the respondents had met patients who had been injured in the residential setting; the most common injury mechanism reported was tripping or falling on the stairs, or accidentally stumbling into furniture. The hospital social workers acknowledged that they could work more preventively in their professional role by encouraging patients to use orientation and mobility devices such as long canes, increasing collaboration with other professions, and conducting home visits to enable trustful dialogues with both patients and relatives. Discussion: According to these specialized hospital social workers, the provision of education and information to patients with visual impairments could potentially prevent future injury. However, in order to achieve this, there is a need to first enable a trustful dialogue between social workers and patients. Implications for practitioners: This study provides a better understanding of the importance of trustful dialogue between hospital social workers and patients with visual impairments, from the point of view injury prevention. It also offers a summary of the knowledge of hospital social workers about risks and injury events in residential settings for patients with visual impairments.

Physical activity and sport practice to improve balance control of visually impaired individuals: a narrative review with future perspectives

“…Indeed, the complex needs of these subjects require a global management able to consider not only protocols application and effectiveness, but also disability-specific communication and workout leading strategies to make them enjoyable and attractive, ultimately promoting exercise adherence ( 61 , 131 , 178 ). Unfortunately, balance improvement interventions addressing those who are visual impairment affected are often fall prevention oriented or based exclusively on basic daily life activities and mobility training ( 4 , 5 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 41 , 48 , 179 , 180 ). Despite the undeniable importance of the aforementioned aims, such a mostly sanitary/rehabilitative approach risks to discourage visually disabled individuals, especially youth, to perceive physical exercise as pleasant and worthy of engagement.…”

“…Unfortunately, balance improvement Tree diagram of the evidence-based critical issues (brown labels on tree roots) and the related applicable suggestions (green labels on tree crown) to improve balance control of visually impaired individuals through physical activity and sport practice. (4,5,12,14,15,41,48,179,180). Despite the undeniable importance of the aforementioned aims, such a mostly sanitary/rehabilitative approach risks to discourage visually disabled individuals, especially youth, to perceive physical exercise as pleasant and worthy of engagement.…”

“…It has been widely demonstrated, in all age groups, that regular physical activity improves balance by stimulating proprioceptive postural control, general and segmental coordination, strength, and reaction time (41,45). Despite the extensive scientific evidence, most studies focused on elderly fall prevention or post-injury and pathological frames rehabilitation, while just a few investigated balance training protocols specifically addressed to VI subjects (10,(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52). Actually, regarding this target group, many studies deepened the topic more in a social inclusion than in a functional and performative perspective (53)(54)(55)(56).…”