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Br J Ophthalmol 2004;88:782-787 doi:10.1136/bjo.2003.033258
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Engaging families in health services research on childhood visual impairment: barriers to, and degree and nature of bias in, participation

  1. J S Rahi1,
  2. I Manaras2,
  3. H Tuomainen3,
  4. G Lewando Hundt4
  1. 1Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Child Health/Great Ormond Street Hospital, and the Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
  2. 2Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, London, UK
  3. 3School of Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick, UK
  4. 4Institute of Health, School of Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick, UK
  1. Correspondence to: J Rahi Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK; j.rahiich.ucl.ac.uk
  • Accepted 30 November 2003

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the barriers to, and degree and nature of bias in, participation in health services research by parents of children with visual impairment.

Methods: Parents of children newly diagnosed with ophthalmic disorders at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, participated in a study to elicit their health service experiences and needs through a postal questionnaire survey followed by in-depth interviews. The participating and non-participating families were compared at different stages of recruitment, according to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Results: 20% (55) of all eligible families could not be invited to participate because of out of date contact details for either the family and/or family doctor in the hospital and/or community record systems. Completed questionnaires were received from 67% (147/221) of contacted families, although only 6% actively declined to take part. Compared to non-participating parents, those who took part were more likely to be white British, from higher socioeconomic groups, have English as their main language, and have no other visually impaired family members. There were no significant differences according to the clinical characteristics of their affected children.

Conclusions: Families from socioeconomically deprived and ethnic minority groups are likely to be less visible than others in health services research on childhood visual impairment. Geographical mobility in families of young children with visual disability poses a potentially important obstacle to engaging them in research on their experiences of health services. These findings indicate the importance of addressing potential biases in the design and interpretation of future studies, to ensure equity in recommendations for policy and practice, and in implementation of services.

Footnotes

  • Commercial relationships: None.

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