My name is Nurbanu Somani and I am a PhD candidate at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. I am currently undertaking research investigating the challenges relating to the management of vision loss. I plan to use my research findings to create an online intervention/programme to enhance and support the well-being of people experiencing vision loss.

 

A key part of my research in the UK will focus on gathering the views and opinions of experts in the field of vision loss (i.e. people who have vision loss, clinicians who work with people with vision loss and carers of people with vision loss). I am specifically interested in finding out what information should be included in the online intervention/programme.

 

There is evidence that more people make significant use of the internet to socialise and to find information about a wide range of issues including personal difficulties. Recent research has shown the internet is the preferred medium of support after family and friends.

 

Online treatments based on a psychopathology model for a range of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety have been researched widely. Most of these interventions are based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with specific variations such as guided mindfulness among others.

 

These interventions have shown effectiveness in treating problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, an internet-based intervention may also enhance well-being in people with vision loss and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

 

My online survey is based on the Delphi Method. This is often used as a forecasting technique to elicit opinions (via two or more separate rounds of surveys) from experts in their field.

 

The survey will be conducted online over two/three rounds in the space of three months. It will commence in December 2019. The second round will be sent to consolidate responses that may fall outside of the consensus of views reached in the first round of surveys.

 

If you are willing and able to participate then please click on the link below, which will take you directly to the survey. No views or opinions that you express will be attributed to you or to your institution. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

 

Link to survey: https://aruspsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cUR1dMjtkWf9Ayx

 

Thank you very much in advance for your help and assistance with this research. Your views and opinions are greatly appreciated.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Nurbanu Somani MRes PG Cert  BSc (Hons)
Postgraduate Researcher (PhD Student)
Vision and Hearing Sciences
Coslett 403Coslett Building
Anglia Ruskin University
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Cambridge
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