title: Overcoming barriers to low-vision rehabilitation services: improving the continuum of care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Low-vision rehabilitation is beneficial for patients with uncorrectable vision impairment, specifically in tasks such as reading and activities of daily living. However, referral to and use of these services remain less than optimal. Inspired by the findings of the Montreal Barriers Study, this article reports on an alternative way of introducing low-vision rehabilitation to clients within an ophthalmology department through the presence of an optometrist.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Department of Ophthalmology at the Jewish General Hospital and the 2 Montreal low-vision rehabilitation agencies established a shared satellite office within the department to overcome administrative barriers, reduce the need for travel, and provide services within a familiar environment for patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2011 to December 2012, 35 patients with low vision were seen by 1 of the optometrists within the ophthalmology department.
  
  
  METHODS
  The optometrist was available on a part-time basis for a total of 20 half days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients (20%) were already clients of a rehabilitation agency and were seen for follow-up, whereas 3 (9%) did not qualify for rehabilitation based on their level of visual function. A further 6 patients (17%) were treated whereby their needs were met within that appointment, and 19 clients (54%) received initial examination and were referred to the rehabilitation agency for additional services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of a vision rehabilitation agency in an ophthalmology department through its optometrists helps triage patients, increases the integration of this service, and facilitates the continuum of care. Further fine-tuning will focus on increasing staff awareness and expansion of assistive technologies available at the satellite office.
authors: MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre-Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitaine. Electronic address: wwittich@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Wittich
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Canuto
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Overbury
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009907:Optometry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*