{
  "abstract": "Currently 340,000 people in the UK are registered as severely (SSI)/partially sighted (PSI; ONS, 2015). In this study, we aimed to investigate clinic accessibility, visual aid satisfaction, and clinic availability in these patients.Semi-structured interviews of 30 patients (Mean age- 73.90 ± 13.69; female-53%, male-47%) were conducted using a questionnaire. Patients were asked about access difficulties in various parts of the hospital (point-scale and open-ended). Interviews took place in East Sussex NHS Trust (‘General design guidance for healthcare buildings UK’ 2014).66.67% were registered as PSI, 33.33%-as SSI. Mean scores for difficulty finding the hospital, navigating inside the hospital, and finding eye clinic were 1.5±0.78, 2.00±0.80 and 1.75±0.82, respectively (1- never; 2- sometimes; 3- constantly have difficulties). Scores in patients with SSI were significantly higher in finding eye clinic (2.00±1.00 vs 1.45±0.52, p=0.024). 44% of participants who scored 1 or 2 stated that they were brought to appointments by hospital transport/friends/relatives to avoid difficulties (false low score). In verbal comments, patients mentioned illegibility of signs and posters, crowded waiting areas, and small front used for clinical letters.The study demonstrated poor accessibility of both the hospital and clinics for SSI and PSI patients. Further environmental studies are required to improve patients’ experience and safety.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Oxford Universities Hospital NHS Trust, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Elizaveta Bayramova"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "East Sussex NHE Healthcare Trust, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Hanna Miller"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "East Sussex NHE Healthcare Trust, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Marie Bryant"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "East Sussex NHE Healthcare Trust, UK",
        "University of Leicester"
      ],
      "name": "Anastasia Pilat"
    }
  ],
  "title": "130248 Accessibility of the hospital environment for patients with visual impairment",
  "uid": "b9c82321-94a1-5f7c-8fd0-9b4d5a1e9a3d"
}