Feasibility and potential effectiveness of the IdentifEYE training programmes to address mental health problems in adults with vision impairment

Purpose: Two training programmes about depression and anxiety in adults with vision impairment were developed to support eye care practitioners (ECPs) and low vision service (LVS) workers in identifying and discussing mental health problems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the training programmes' potential effectiveness and feasibility.Methods: The training programmes were offered to ECPs (n = 9) and LVS workers (n = 17). All participants completed surveys pre-, mid- and post-training, and at a 4 week follow-up about the training programmes' content, effectiveness, feasibility and implementation. The Kirkpatrick model was used as a theoretical framework; linear mixed models were used to determine the potential effectiveness, and outcomes were explored during three focus group meetings.Results: Expectations were met in the majority of the participants (84.6%). Post-training, both ECPs and LVS workers reported increased confidence (beta = 3.67, confidence interval (CI): 0.53-6.80; beta = 4.35, CI: 1.57 to 7.14, respectively) and less barriers (beta = -3.67, CI: -6.45 to -0.89; beta = -1.82, CI: -4.56 to 0.91). Mental health problems were more likely addressed in both the groups (ECP beta = 2.22, CI: -0.17 to 4.62; LVS beta = 4.18, CI: 2.67 to 5.68), but these effects did not last in ECPs (beta = -3.22, CI: -7.37 to 0.92). Variations of these learning effects between individual participants were found within both the groups, and LVS workers indicated a need to focus on their own profession. Participants provided information on how to improve the training programmes' feasibility, effectiveness and implementation.Conclusion: The training programmes seemed feasible and potentially effective. Transfer of the lessons learned into daily practice could be enhanced by, for example, specifying the training programmes for healthcare providers with the same profession, introducing microlearning and incorporating mental health management into organisation policies.