Beverley, C.A., Bath, P.A. and Barber, R. (2011) Health and social care information for visually-impaired people. Aslib Proceedings; New Information Perspectives, 63 (2-3). 256 - 274.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the health and social care information needs of people with a visual impairment; to identify the health and social care information sources used by visually-impaired people seeking information; to identify differences in the information needs of people with different visual impairments; to examine ways in which developments in information provision may help to meet the needs of visually impaired people.
Design/methodology/approach – In total, 28 semi-structured interviews (face-to-face or telephone) were conducted with 31 visually impaired people living in or near Sheffield, UK. The participants included two groups: people with an age-related visual impairment, and people with a visual impairment since birth or early childhood. Framework analysis was used to analyse the findings.
Findings – Four major themes were identified: health and social care information needs, sources of health and social care information, possible improvements, and “intervening variables”.
Practical implications – In this study only a small proportion of the health and social care information needs of visually impaired people were currently being met. There was minimal co-ordination of information between the different information providers. Visually impaired people were dependent on acquiring and seeking out additional information from a wide variety of sources.
Originality/value – This paper provides new insights into the health and social care information needs of visually impaired people and their sources of information, and starts to fill gaps identified in an earlier systematic review. The paper reinforces the view that visually impaired people are a heterogeneous group, with different needs according to their visual impairments.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2011 Emerald. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Aslib Proceedings. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Blindness; Blind people; Health services; Demand; United Kingdom. |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Health and Related Research (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 09 Apr 2014 09:13 |
Last Modified: | 09 Apr 2014 09:13 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00012531111135691 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Emerald |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1108/00012531111135691 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:78450 |