NB provides an insight into the role of eye clinic liaison officers (ECLOs). Sally Kaye, Eye Impact Officer at RNIB, writes.
You have probably read the many news stories that have revealed that people are now living longer than ever before. For eye clinic liaison officers (ECLOs) this is important, as they will need to show that they understand that advancing age can bring with it additional health problems and disabilities.
Only by looking holistically at the patient, can an overall picture emerge of the difficulties he or she may already be experiencing, and how sight loss can compound these difficulties.
Impact on health
It is important that an ECLO has a broad understanding of the health issues which might affect older people. To understand stroke and its consequences, for example, equips the ECLO to better understand the effect it might have on someone's overall wellbeing.
Patients may have multiple additional health problems and again, the ECLO will understand that to have a diagnosis of failing sight added to existing problems such as poor mobility, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or memory loss can be devastating. Such a diagnosis added to complex existing disabilities can result in further loss of independence and social isolation for that person.
While understanding common health problems, it is not for the ECLO to provide information specific to the person at the time of contact. Specific questions such as: "Will I go blind?" should only be answered by medical staff, although non specific generic information can be given.
Listening skills
To be a skilled listener is a fundamental part of an ECLO's role, along with the ability to interpret body language and to 'hear' the unspoken words of a distressed patient. Each person will need to feel they can speak in confidence to their ECLO about their feelings at that time. This may take time and the ECLO will be aware of the need to allow pauses in the conversation and then to encourage continuation.
Grief and loss
An understanding of the grieving process enables the ECLO to recognise that sight loss is also bereavement and that the individual will respond to their sight loss in their own individual way. Only by acknowledging each person as an individual can an ECLO begin to support them through the grief and feelings of loss which may engulf them at diagnosis.
ECLOs are in a unique position to offer early emotional support, advice and information to anyone with a visual impairment while recognising the need to refer patients on to professional counselling when appropriate. ECLOs acknowledge that with age, there may also be additional disabilities, and by understanding the impact this may have on a visually impaired person, will enable the appropriate support, at the right time, for the individual.
Eye Clinic Support Studies course
RNIB offers a four day, eye clinic support studies course, which is accredited by City University, London. The course provides staff working within eye clinic settings with the knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of high level support to newly-diagnosed blind and partially sighted people. Read about the Eye Clinic Support Studies course and other training opportunities.
RNIB Emotional Support Service
RNIB's Emotional Support Service is a telephone counselling service that offers confidential telephone support, information and counselling to people who, because of sight loss, are experiencing emotional difficulties. It also runs support groups.
Article published in NB magazine March 2013.