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Occupational therapists 'want more sight loss training'

Thursday 22nd October 2009

Not enough occupational therapists are receiving the training they want or need in order to work with sight loss, according to one expert.

Dr Angela McCullagh of the Thomas Pocklington Trust remarked that not being fully trained in this field puts those in occupational therapy jobs at a disadvantage when treating aging patients, Medical News Today reports.

The research and development director said: "It makes sense for occupational therapists to play a bigger role in supporting people with sight problems. Only better training can make that possible."

A survey by Dr McCullagh's organisation revealed that 81 per cent of practitioners thought further training was required in this area, with 59 per cent having little confidence when dealing with patients who have lost their sight.

Some therapists have independently attempted to seek additional training, but have found the courses on offer to be inadequate.

According to the Medical Research Council, roughly one in eight people over the age of 75 suffer sight loss

Written by Mathew Horton