Transcript Tips on Supporting Patients

Welcome to CNIB’s InFocus
Webinar Series
Webinar 2: Supporting Your Patients
- Practical Tips & Strategies
Leanne Cornell and Sumreen Siddiqui
15th November 2012
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Supporting Your Patients: Objectives
Participants will be able to learn about:
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How to identify if patient may have a vision problem
Practical tips for working with patients in a clinical setting
Useful tools and strategies to help maximize usable vision
CNIB services and support
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Identifying if a Patient has a Vision Problem
Questions to Ask the Patient:
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Looking at my face, what exactly do you see?
What do you notice about me, eg. my clothes, shirt color, etc?
Are you having difficulty…
…locating curbs and stairways?
…moving around
ie. are you bumping into
things more often?
…reading fine print even
when wearing your
glasses or CLs?
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…seeing cars on the road
during the day and night or
driving at dusk/dawn?
…identifying paper
money or coins?
Tips for Working with Patients
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Let the patient know when entering and leaving
Speak to client directly so they know they’re being spoken to
Speak in a normal voice
Be empathetic
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Tips for Working with Patients
Making a Patient Comfortable
in their Surroundings
• Describe the room layout
including landmarks
• Ensure the patient is in a
secure place, i.e. close to a
wall or sitting in a chair.
• Ensure there are no
obstacles
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Tips for Working with Patients
Communication and Education
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KISS – use SIMPLE terms and avoid technical terminology
Make no assumptions about a patients’ existing knowledge
Explain associated conditions
The patient may need help with their medications
Point out the importance of identification
in case of emergencies
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Tips for Working with Patients
Patient Responsibility and Independence
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Encourage self advocacy and independence
Examples of questions and considerations to raise with patients
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Transportation: How do you get from A to B? Have you used
wheel trans or alternative forms of transport
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Finances: Do you have alternative means of keeping track of your
finances? Eg. Online transactions
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Mobility: Diabetes can lead to reduced sensation in feet, so
patients should ensure adequate footwear to prevent cuts/injury;
Does patient need training or to adopt proper instruments for
navigating?
Importance of Tests
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Emphasize the importance of regular eye exams
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Maximizing Usable Vision
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Assess the lighting condition in the room
Do not sit/stand directly in front of a sunlit window
When greeting the patient stand at a close distance
(no more than 5 feet away)
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Use large print materials (high contrast, black on white,
minimum 16 point bold serif type, plenty of white space)
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Use black felt tip pen on white paper when writing
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Be aware of patients’ needs and visual capabilities and make
the necessary accommodations
Take wholistic approach
Refer patient to CNIB for an assessment
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Maximizing Usable Vision
Tools
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Talking glucometer
Magnification devices
Lighting
iPhone
Filtered sunglasses and a cap
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Maximizing Usable Vision
Provincial Programs and Subsidies
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Funding varies between provinces for
the cost of low vision devices for people
with impaired vision
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Refer to local CNIB office
for more information
About CNIB
Mission
Passionately providing community-based support, knowledge
and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or
partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities
to fully participate in life.
•Promotes confidence, skills and opportunities
•Personalized rehabilitation support
•Patients don’t have to be total blind
•Nationwide presence – services vary between offices
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CNIB – Community-Based Support
Emotional and Wellness Support
– understanding and advice when needed most
•CNIB support group
•Toll-free CNIB Helpline 1-800-563-2642
•Vision Mate program
•Counseling services
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CNIB Services
Low Vision Services – make the most of the sight they have
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Vision Assessment
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Helpful devices
Tips and tricks to
maximize sight
CNIB Services
Independent Living Services
Orientation and Mobility
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Build skills to live independently
eg. Cooking, home and personal management, personal care.
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Identify money, use phone, label medications, organize
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Teach safe mobility techniques
(indoor and outdoor)
eg. Using variety of canes
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Community programs
Communication skills
eg Braille, touch typing, computer retraining
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CNIB Services
CNIB Library
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More than 80,000 materials in alternative formats
eg. braille books and audio.
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Email: [email protected]
Website: cniblibrary.ca
Phone: 1800-268-8818
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CNIB Services
Assistive Technology Services
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Patients can receive an assessment
Learn how to use assistive technologies
Get the tools
Eligible financial supports
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CNIB Services
Career & Employment Services
(check with your province)
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One-on-one support
Professional mentor
Tuition and wage subsidies
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CNIB Services
CNIB can help give referrals and make connections to a
range of community information, resources and services.
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Eye Connect: Diabetic Retinopathy
www.cnib.ca/dr
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Diabetic retinopathy basics
Prevention
Diagnosis and treatment
Living with diabetic retinopathy
For Health Care Professionals
Patient Guide
CNIB Contacts and Resources
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CNIB Website: www.cnib.ca
Toll-free CNIB Helpline: 1-800-563-2642
Email: [email protected]
Production of materials has been made possible through a financial contribution
from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not
necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
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