Dear Readers,
Central to the commitment to fulfilling VISION 2020: The Right to Sight goals is eliminating needless blindness. Community outreach activities are integral to doing this. There are different steps involved in running a community outreach programme. A critical factor to making this happen successfully is the community participation. This however being resource intensive requires proper planning (both of staff and of logistics) to have maximum benefit This can be done only if we reach out to the community to target all the eye care patients in the community who are not accessing the hospital facility. Patient counselors play a critical role in convincing those who are not accepting the doctors advice for increasing the uptake to cataract surgery. Service providers need to broaden their boundary of service beyond the hospital facility to truly ensure that they are contributing to the mission of eliminating needless blindness.
Happy Reading!
Regards,
Vision 2020 e-resource team
|
|
In order to develop and maintain a high quality, large volume, sustainable cataract surgery programme, it is essential to be proactive about attracting patients instead of simply waiting for patients to arrive on their own. Despite the magnitude of the problem of cataract blindness in developing countries, studies have shown that only a small percentage of the people needing cataract surgery actually seek treatment. In other words, it is necessary to generate demand for the services of your institution (whether a hospital, eye clinic, or private ophthalmology practice) though community outreach. Outreach activities can increase productivity, quality of care, and cost effectiveness in cataract surgery programmes.
- QUALITY CATARACT SERIES - COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Abstract:
Community Outreach Initiatives consists of purposes of community outreach, community outreach activities in various fields and more challenges in community outreach and how to overcome it for improving patient awareness and increasing the uptake of cataract services.
- COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR CATARACT
Abstract:
The Cataract Outreach Activities Protocol guides about the pre-camp activities such as monthly plan/weekly plan schedule, to contact the sponsor, explaining the sponsor about the camp procedures, suggest a suitable date and camp site, to give standard format of notice and poster for sponsors publicity, periodical meetings, transport management etc. and the camp-day activities such as to make ready op& IP registers, collect furniture, instructing the volunteers, collect patients, preparing medical records, arranging food, arranging transport to take the patients to the hospital etc. and the post-camp activities such as admitting and treatment of patients, to draw camp reports etc. A Flow chart of examination protocol at campsite and the standardized clinical protocol for the campsite is also given for good management.
- PURPOSES OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
- COMMUNITY OPHTHALMOLOGY DIMENSIONS
Abstract:
This article introduces the concept of community ophthalmology and its application to the changing scenario in eye care services. It focuses on the shift from individualised care to community based eye care services and highlights the broad spectrum of conditions and circumstances that make community based services relevant today.
- BARRIERS WHICH KEEP PATIENTS FROM GETTING CATARACT SURGERY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Abstract:
This article addresses the social, cultural and economic barriers which affects the patients from reaching the hospital and how to create awareness among patients about cataract surgery in developing countries.
- SCREENING PROCEDURES IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
Abstract:
This article deals with screening procedures in ophthalmology. It also highlights about various Types of Screening camp.
- COMPREHENSIVE EYE CARE IN THE COMMUNITY
Abstract:
This article deals with how NPCB conducts eye health camps and programme for the community by identifying the cataract population.
|
|
There are various steps to be followed in outreach camps, it can be classified into pre camp activities, during the camp and post camp activities. All these steps must be planned prior to conducting camps for its effectiveness, we have provided you with some articles which deals with steps to be followed in outreach camps.
- MICRO - PLANNING
Abstract:
This article reveals a Micro-Planning of how to manage surgeries in an eye care population by fixing target, providing options for surgical services based on the eye care population, Assessment of resources and how to monitor the Quality.
- COMPREHENSIVE EYE CARE IN THE COMMUNITY
Abstract:
This article deals with how NPCB conducts eye health camps and programme for the community by identifying the cataract population.
- STEPS IN ORGANIZING SCREENING EYE CAMP
|
|
|
Proper planning of each screening eye camp ensures that the maximum number of patients will benefit from each outreach program. Two axioms can be used in the organization of the camps: maximum community awareness, or marketing, of the eye camp; and a joint participation, or teamwork, between workers in the community and the Hospital. The Provider Hospital has developed a system that integrally involves the community around the chosen camp site so that the community as a whole is motivated to conduct the screening camp.
|
|
Success of eye camp is a team effort. This is achieved when there are adequate number of staffs based on the OP expected from the camp also staff should have basic training required to do the job. We have provided you with number of staffs required based on the patients expected.
Staffing required
- JOB DESCRIPTION FOR CAMP ORGANISORS
Abstract:
This is a model job description for the Camp Organisors. It clearly focuses the duties of the Camp Organisor, and how to manage the duties in an organized way.
|
|
A wide range of ophthalmic equipment is available for diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. We have provided you with the list of Equipments and Furniture needed based on the type of camp.
Equipment needed
Furniture needed
|
|
|
In camp Patient Counselling helps people in understanding about the treatment, length of stay, cost, prognosis, and plan for their rehabilitation.
|
|
|
We have provided you with different model of outreach activities adopted by organisations like Aravind, Lumbini Rana Ambika eye hospital, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute and Christian Medical College.
|
|
We are delighted to partner with Janani who are planning to extend their service to Eye care. Janani is an innovative and adventurous social marketing and social franchising enterprise that improves peoples lives. It provides poorer people with affordable and safe options for family planning, health and reproductive health care through impactful and cost efficient interventions. Janani is a non-profit Indian society that leverages private sector resources to supplement public sector service delivery.
The programme works through three inter-linked networks:
- Franchised doctors who deliver clinical services
- Franchised rural centres that sell over-the-counter products and services, and counsel and refer clients to doctors
- Shops that sell products to urban clients and replenish supplies to doctors and rural centers.
All these networks together have the potential to reach cost efficiently every single household in the programme area that is home to 120 million people.
Contact Janani at :
www.janani.org
|
|
Introduction to Outreach 
Steps followed in Outreach Camps
Community Participation
Staffing required in Outreach
Logistics planning in Outreach
Role of Patient Counsellors in Eye Care
Community Outreach Model
Web Links
Collaborating Partner