'Smiling and Talking Slowly': A Qualitative Study on the Ideal Ophthalmologist From the Perspective of Adults With Intellectual Disabilities.
Yueh-Ching Chou, Bo-Wei Chen, Christy Pu and 1 others
PMID 39970532WHAT IT FOUND
Adults with intellectual disabilities described an ideal ophthalmologist as someone who smiles, speaks slowly, and talks directly to them rather than their caregivers.
They valued clear, slow explanations and demonstrations before eye tests to reduce anxiety and help them cooperate with equipment.
Key findings
01Participants preferred ophthalmologists who were friendly, smiled, and spoke slowly, and who communicated directly with them instead of focusing solely on their companions.
02Clear, slow explanations and demonstrations of equipment and procedures before vision screening helped reduce anxiety and the likelihood of incorrect responses.
03Unexpected events during examinations, such as the sudden air puff from a tonometer or unfamiliar charts, caused fear and discomfort, making prior practice or observation helpful.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
Participants were recruited from service units, so findings may not apply to people with intellectual disabilities who do not access services. Most participants had mild intellectual disabilities and could communicate orally, limiting generalisability to those with severe or profound disabilities or who do not use verbal communication. The study was conducted in Taiwan, where ophthalmologists are the primary eye care providers, which may differ from healthcare systems in other countries. Interviews were conducted online due to the pandemic, with assistance from caregivers, which may have influenced responses.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these preferences as evidence that smiling and speaking slowly improve clinical outcomes or eye health. This is a qualitative study describing patient experiences and expectations, not a trial testing an intervention's efficacy.