Raising awareness of sensory impairment with nurses working in the community

Citation

Smith A, Macleod K, Shepherd A, Mitchell G & Gill J (2014) Raising awareness of sensory impairment with nurses working in the community. The Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland. https://www.qnis.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Raising-Awareness-of-Sensory-Impairment-Report.pdf

Abstract
Sensory impairment can affect any age group within the population, however it is identified as one of the most common chronic conditions of later life with undisputable evidence that sensory impairment and associated disability increases with age. The Commission on Improving Dignity in Care have set out recommendations to address the underlying cause of undignified care that includes appropriate assessment for sensory impairment [Recommendation 23] and the provision of accessible care for people with sensory impairments 1. Significantly the need to ensure that all those working with older people should have the appropriate knowledge and skills has also been highlighted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of sensory awareness training and elicit the perceptions of sensory impairment from nurses working in five community locality areas across the Western Isles of Scotland. Following workshop participation participants indicated improved knowledge of sensory impairment, a better understanding of associated disability and enhanced knowledge of wider service provision. A number of challenges to specialist sensory services were identified including lack of knowledge of sensory services in the population and patient reticence to access sensory services.

Keywords
Sensory impairment; sensory services; sensory training; community nursing

People

Professor Ashley Shepherd

Professor, Health Sciences Stirling

Dr Annetta Smith

Senior Lecturer, Health Sciences (Highland & W.Isles)