PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected access to health and social services globally, leading to delays in accessing appropriate care. However, while there is a growing base of research into service access for the general population, there remains scarce information on the implications of the pandemic on disabled people. This article describes issues with health and disability support access for people with impaired vision in Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa). Methods: Applying an Interpretive Description methodology, 62 interviews were conducted with disabled people; 10 of these individuals identified as having impaired vision. Findings were analyzed thematically for the entire group of 62, representing varied impairment groups, and then for the 10 who had impaired vision. Results: Five key themes arose from the interviews, including transportation difficulties, mental distress, loss of community, loss of physical contact and signals, and general loss of support. Participants identified that this loss of support occurred at multiple levels, meaning that the disability and healthcare system as a whole was ill-equipped to manage their needs. Participants reported a lag-time in accessing care, meaning that the effects of the pandemic are still felt due to a lack of available support and resources. Discussion: This article remains one of a few studies to look at the implications of the pandemic on access to health and disability services for those with impaired vision. It highlights that despite Aotearoa\'s good track record in managing the pandemic, groups were forgotten and marginalized by the collective response to managing COVID-19. Implications for Practitioners: Blindness professionals must be aware of the possible disadvantages and impacts of pandemics and other disasters on people with impaired vision and their access to health and disability services. Policymakers must include disabled people at the decision-making table so that the diverse needs of these populations are managed.
摘要：
简介：COVID-19大流行影响了全球获得卫生和社会服务的机会，导致延迟获得适当的护理。然而,尽管对普通人群的服务获取的研究基础越来越多，关于大流行对残疾人的影响的信息仍然很少。本文介绍了新西兰奥特罗阿（Aotearoa）视力受损人群的健康和残疾支持获取问题。方法：应用解释性描述方法，对残疾人进行了62次访谈；这些人中有10人被确定为视力受损。对整个62人的研究结果进行了主题分析，代表不同的损伤组，然后是视力受损的10人。结果：采访中出现了五个关键主题，包括交通困难，精神痛苦,失去社区,失去物理接触和信号，一般失去支持。与会者指出，这种失去支持发生在多个层面，这意味着残疾和医疗保健系统作为一个整体是没有能力管理他们的需求。参与者报告说，在获得护理方面存在滞后时间，这意味着由于缺乏可用的支持和资源，大流行的影响仍然存在。讨论：本文仍然是研究大流行对视力受损者获得健康和残疾服务的影响的少数研究之一。它强调，尽管奥特罗在管理大流行方面有着良好的记录，由于对管理COVID-19的集体反应，群体被遗忘和边缘化。对从业者的影响：盲人专业人员必须意识到大流行和其他灾难对视力受损者及其获得健康和残疾服务的可能不利和影响。政策制定者必须将残疾人纳入决策范围，以便管理这些人群的各种需求。
