Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41724503›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2026

'It's never one size fits all': a qualitative exploration of vision-impaired patients' preferences for mental health support.

Jane Amanda Scott, Julia Gillard, Débora Vasconcelos E Sa, Amy Oliver, Robyn Hawkins, Shahina Pardhan

Abstract read
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Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jane Amanda ScottAnglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK jane.scott@aru.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2474-3971
Julia GillardAnglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK.
Débora Vasconcelos E SaAnglia Ruskin University Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cambridge, UK.
Amy OliverUniversity College London, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-5820-6751
Robyn HawkinsAnglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-7131-0203
Shahina PardhanVERI, Anglia Ruskin University - Cambridge Campus, Cambridge, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIt is widely known that a diagnosis of visual impairment has significant mental health impacts. Proposed approaches to addressing these include cognitive behavioural, problem-solving and stepped care solutions.

objectivesLimited research has focused specifically on vision-impaired patients' preferences for mental health support following diagnosis. This study aimed to address this gap.

designThe study was qualitative and cross-sectional, involving thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with patients diagnosed with vision impairment.

participantsTwenty vision-impaired patients, aged from 20 to 84 years old and with a range of diagnoses, were interviewed regarding their experience of and recommendations for mental health support at the point of diagnosis and thereafter.

resultsThree main themes were identified: (1) Mapping the Journey: The Critical Role of Accessible Information, (2) Navigating the Emotional Impact: Help-Seeking Attitudes and Experiences and (3) Tailored Mental Health Support: Timing, Delivery and Preferred Providers. Each theme had three subthemes.

conclusionsIt was concluded that clear information about diagnosis, prognosis and available supports is fundamental to promoting and maintaining mental health for vision-impaired patients. Person-centred and/or peer support is highly valued. To be maximally effective, specific mental health support should be informed by knowledge of vision impairment, with standardised treatment programmes not being valued highly. The study results strongly suggest that mental health support needs to be tailored to the unique needs of each individual, and therefore, a stepped care approach may be most helpful, encompassing clear information, practical advice and ongoing peer and professional support.

Indexed as

Mental DisordersMental Health ServicesPatient PreferenceVision DisordersAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMental HealthMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchYoung AdultMENTAL HEALTHOPHTHALMOLOGYPUBLIC HEALTHQUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Identifiers

PMID41724503
PMCPMC12927332

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.