Date Presented 04/03/2025
This study explores OT students' and new graduates' views on low vision rehabilitation (LVR). Although most are interested in LVR, many feel uncomfortable with assessments and interventions, emphasizing the need for more LVR training in OT programs.
Primary Author and Speaker: Jillian Rose Bucaro
Contributing Authors: Anne Riddering, Marra Robert, Elizabeth H. Yost
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to further understand how occupational therapy students' and new graduates' perspectives of vision rehabilitation is currently affecting the utilization of low vision rehabilitation (LVR) in OT practice. The data collected will be used to examine the following research questions: Are current graduate programs providing enough low vision education to spark interest in students? Do the perspectives of OT students and new graduates on LVR affect its utilization in OT practice?
DESIGN: The study utilized a mixed methods survey design. Surveys were distributed on multiple e-mail lists including AOTA, 205 OT program directors across the US, and LinkedIn. The responses from current OT students or new graduates with less than three years of experience who gradated form or are currently enrolled in an accredited OT graduate program were included.
METHOD: Participants from a convenience sample were invited to complete an anonymous 14-question Qualtrics survey, rating their perspectives on and comfort with utilizing LVR via Likert scales. Informed consent was obtained from each participant.
RESULTS: A total of 136 responses were recorded with the majority coming from OT doctoral students. Majority of participants report that their education sparked an interest in LVR and plan to utilize LVR in OT practice, however only ∼53% of participants report feeling uncomfortable administering low vision assessments and interventions.
CONCLUSION: The study found no statistically significant difference in participants' perspectives or utilization of LVR. With the expected rise in visual impairments each decade, there is an ongoing need for more OTs to specialize in this area to have a deeper understanding of available resources, advocating for the use of LVR clinics, and improve caregiver and community mobility training.
References
Barstow, B. A., Warren, M., Thaker, S., Hallman, A., & Batts, P. (2015). Client and therapist perspectives on the influence of low vision and chronic conditions on performance and occupational therapy intervention. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69, 6903270010. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.014605
National Eye Institute. (2023). Low vision. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/low-vision
Weisser-Pike, O., Bray, R., Hanson, H., Johnson, K., Kincaid, O., Mills, M., Ozanich, C., & Woods, K. (2023). Addressing current issues in vision rehabilitation as a specialty practice of occupational therapy. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 37(3), 316–325. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2023.2217256
Winner, S., Yuen, H. K., Vogtle, L. K., & Warren, M. (2014). Brief report—Factors associated with comfort level of occupational therapy practitioners in providing low vision services. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68, 96–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.009142
