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. 2024 May 14:56:jrm28793.
doi: 10.2340/jrm.v56.28793.

Assessment of visual problems after acquired brain injury: a survey of current practice in Danish hospitals

Trine Schow  1 , Eike Ines Wehling  2 , Helle K Falkenberg  3 , Anne Norup  4 , Karin Spangsberg Kristensen  5
Affiliations

Assessment of visual problems after acquired brain injury: a survey of current practice in Danish hospitals

Trine Schow et al. J Rehabil Med. .

Abstract

Objectives: To explore current hospital practice in relation to the assessment of vision problems in patients with acquired brain injury.

Design: A survey study.

Subjects: A total of 143 respondents from hospital settings, with background in occupational therapy and physical therapy, participated in the survey.

Methods: The survey questionnaire, developed collaboratively by Danish and Norwegian research groups, encompassed 22 items categorically covering "Background information", "Clinical experience and current practice", "Vision assessment tools and protocols", and "Assessment barriers". It was sent out online, to 29 different hospital departments and 18 separate units for occupational therapists and physiotherapists treating patients with acquired brain injury.

Results: Most respondents worked in acute or subacute hospital settings. Few departments had an interdisciplinary vision team, and very few therapists had formal education in visual problems after acquired brain injury. Visual assessment practices varied, and there was limited use of standardized tests. Barriers to identifying visual problems included patient-related challenges, knowledge gaps, and resource limitations.

Conclusion: The study emphasized the need for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, formal education, and standardized assessments to address visual problems after acquired brain injury. Overcoming these challenges may improve identification and management, ultimately contributing to better patient care and outcomes in the future.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Survey methodology process.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Reported use of different clinical assessment methods. Routinely: with all patients; Regularly: with selected patients; Rarely: with some patients; Never: with no patients.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Assessment of different kinds of visual problems.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Referral of different types of visual problems.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Barriers to the assessment of visual problems. Multiple-choice answers were possible. Bars presents number of responses.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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