Halifax advocates working to improve health care for people with sight loss

Advocates and medical professionals in Halifax are collaborating on various initiatives to enhance healthcare delivery for individuals with sight loss. Dalhousie University medical student Tyler Herod has been at the forefront of these efforts, noting that focus groups have identified several barriers faced by these patients.

One major issue highlighted by Herod is the lack of communication from healthcare workers when approaching patients with sight loss. Without proper announcement of their presence, patients may struggle to identify who is in the room and why they are there. Shelley Adams, manager of advocacy for Atlantic Canada at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), shared her own experiences of facing similar challenges in hospital settings.

To address these concerns, a sign has been developed to be placed near patients with sight loss, providing tips for healthcare workers on how to best assist them. This initiative is currently being implemented at Dartmouth General and Victoria General hospitals, with plans for formal assessment underway at the Halifax Infirmary.

In addition to the sign, Herod, Adams, and a CNIB volunteer have conducted educational presentations for nearly 300 healthcare professionals since February 2024. These sessions cover topics such as improving communication and guiding individuals who are blind or partially sighted. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with an increasing number of requests for further presentations.

Looking ahead, more educational sessions are scheduled, including a presentation at the Dalhousie department of medicine grand rounds. Adams and Herod have also collaborated on an interprofessional mini-course for Dalhousie students in various health profession programs, set to begin this month.

Ultimately, the goal of these efforts is to educate as many healthcare professionals as possible and enhance the overall patient experience. Adams emphasizes that the benefits of these initiatives extend beyond individuals with sight loss to benefit the broader community as a whole.