The focus of this research is to develop an understanding of how visually impaired people face a digital disability divide. The scope of this research is limited to people with visual impairments who may or may not have access to technology. The research shows how to bridge the divide while exploring relevant topics that lead to the conception of feasible solutions. Further, it will contribute to the development of more socially inclusive healthcare information systems.
The research is supported by a thorough literature review of articles, journals, and research reports dealing with the major relevant topics.
A qualitative research method was used to identify and obtain an in-depth understanding of the healthcare information accessibility (HCIA) barriers that visually impaired people face, and the factors involved in the creation of these barriers. Moreover, a quantitative method was used to collect primary data, and a number of different analysis methods were used to produce results. This led to findings that were generalized to the larger population of the visually impaired.
The research shows that, despite the staggering advances in information and communication technology (ICT), the healthcare information needs of the visually impaired are not being met. However, it has also been discovered that the digital divide caused by visual impairment can be mitigated with intelligent design and the realization of information systems intended to fulfill the healthcare information needs of the visually impaired. A logical information system is needed that has a combination of input, back-end, and output assistive technologies with increased social inclusion and the capability to empower visually impaired people and help them access available healthcare information.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND MOTIVATION
1.2 RESEARCH FOCUS AND SCOPE
1.2.1 RESEARCH PURPOSE AND GOALS
1.3 RESEARCH STRUCTURE
2 HEALTHCARE INFORMATION ACCESS
2.1 TYPES OF BARRIERS
2.2 AWARENESS BARRIERS
2.2.1 PATIENTS' PRESUMPTION
2.2.2 PROVIDERS' STANCE
2.2.3 EXECUTIVES' APATHY
2.2.4 MANUFACTURERS' EXCLUSIVENESS
2.3 ACCESSIBILITY BARRIERS
2.4 MOTIVATIONAL BARRIERS
3 HEALTHCARE INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
3.1 VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
3.2 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
3.3 HEALTHCARE INFORMATION SOURCES AND ACCESSIBLE FORMATS
3.4 LEGISLATION AND POLICIES ON DISABILITY RIGHTS AND ACCESSIBILITY
3.4.1 THE UNITED STATES
3.4.2 FINLAND
3.4.3 IRELAND
3.4.4 THE UNITED KINGDOM
3.4.5 FRANCE
3.5 INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND STRATEGIES THAT SUIT VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE
3.5.1 FINLAND
3.5.2 THE UNITED KINGDOM
3.5.3 FRANCE
3.5.4 IRELAND
3.5.5 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4 RESEARCH PROCESS
4.1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
4.2 DATA COLLECTION
4.2.1 SURVEY OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE'S INSTITUTES IN EUROPE
4.2.2 SECONDARY DATA ON ICTS
4.3 DATA ANALYSIS
4.3.1 DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS
4.3.2 INFERENTIAL ANALYSIS
5 RESULTS
5.1 RESULTS FROM THE DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS
5.2 RESULTS FROM THE REGRESSION ANALYSIS
5.2.1 RESULTS ON THE OVERALL DATA ANALYSIS
5.2.2 FINLAND DATA ANALYSIS RESULTS
5.2.3 IRELAND DATA ANALYSIS RESULTS
6 DISCUSSION
6.1 THE CORE BASIS
6.2 THE OVERALL RELATIONSHIP
6.3 FINLAND
6.4 IRELAND
7 CONCLUSIONS
8 RECOMMENDATIONS
Research Objectives and Themes
This research aims to analyze the digital disability divide faced by visually impaired people regarding healthcare information access. The primary objective is to investigate barriers to information accessibility and explore how information systems and technological advancements can be leveraged to create more inclusive and equitable healthcare services.
- Identification of awareness, accessibility, and motivational barriers to healthcare information.
- Evaluation of the relationship between ICT performance indicators and information access incentives.
- Examination of assistive technologies and their role in bridging the information divide.
- Comparative analysis of strategies and policies in Finland, Ireland, the UK, France, and the USA.
- Development of recommendations for integrating inclusive design into healthcare information systems.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.1 Patients' presumption
Due to the awareness barrier, VIP are unable to access healthcare information, making the healthcare delivery process difficult as a consequence. This barrier has multiple aspects, which include patients' presumption or prejudice; providers' stance; executives' apathy; and manufacturers' exclusiveness. The author of this paper is convinced that understanding the nature of these barriers is a crucial step that must be taken before any attempt is made to reduce the VID3 effect. The four major social, technological, financial or economic, and legal factors are present here. The reader can identify these factors in the topics of barriers while contributing to the creation of the barriers.
Studies have revealed that the prejudice that visually impaired people have about information access contributes to creating this barrier (Holdings 2009; Martire and Iversen 2015). VIP's mistaken perception that particular healthcare information does not exist serves as a barrier to its access. Although this notion is based on reasonable premises, this is not always the case. Studies in the UK have shown that the majority of visually impaired patients do not inquire whether healthcare information can be presented to them in an accessible format (Holdings 2009). As a result, they are not aware of the different accessible formats available and hence the healthcare information is inaccessible.
Chapter Summaries
1 INTRODUCTION: Outlines the research background, the scope of the digital disability divide for visually impaired individuals, and the core research purpose.
2 HEALTHCARE INFORMATION ACCESS: Explores the primary barriers to accessing healthcare information, categorized into awareness, accessibility, and motivational challenges.
3 HEALTHCARE INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED: Analyzes the link between visual impairment and the digital divide, examines assistive technologies, and reviews international policies and information systems.
4 RESEARCH PROCESS: Details the research methodology, including the mixed-method approach, data collection via surveys, and secondary data analysis.
5 RESULTS: Presents the findings derived from descriptive and regression analyses of the survey data regarding healthcare information access in Finland and Ireland.
6 DISCUSSION: Interprets the research findings and evaluates the relationship between ICT performance indicators and the incentives for healthcare information accessibility.
7 CONCLUSIONS: Summarizes the study’s core findings and reaffirms the necessity of advanced, inclusive information systems for the visually impaired.
8 RECOMMENDATIONS: Proposes future studies and practical suggestions for stakeholders to mitigate barriers and improve healthcare information accessibility.
Keywords
Visually Impaired People, Healthcare Information Accessibility, ICT, Digital Disability Divide, Assistive Technologies, Information Systems, Social Inclusion, Awareness Barriers, Accessibility Barriers, Motivational Barriers, Legislation, Healthcare Information Needs, Finland, Ireland, Digital Divide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The research focuses on understanding the digital disability divide experienced by visually impaired people when attempting to access healthcare information and how this divide can be mitigated.
What are the primary barriers to healthcare information for the visually impaired?
The study identifies three major categories: awareness barriers, accessibility barriers, and motivational barriers.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to study the visual impairment digital disability divide and improve healthcare information access by recommending feasible technological and organizational solutions.
Which research methodology was employed?
The author utilized a mixed-method research approach, combining qualitative literature review with quantitative analysis based on survey data from European institutes.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical framework of information access, specific assistive technologies, comparative international policies, and empirical data analysis from Finland and Ireland.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Visually Impaired People, Digital Disability Divide, Healthcare Information Accessibility, Assistive Technologies, and Information Systems.
How does the author define the "digital disability divide"?
The author defines it as the disadvantage faced by those unable or unwilling to use information and communication technology, which in this context specifically affects the ability of visually impaired individuals to access necessary healthcare information.
What is the significance of the comparison between Finland and Ireland?
The comparison serves to evaluate how different national policies, ICT performance levels, and organizational supports impact the ability of healthcare systems to meet the information needs of the visually impaired.
- Quote paper
- Fissha SeyoumTeshome (Author), 2017, Healthcare Information Needs of the Visually Impaired. Bridging the Visual Impairment Digital Disability Divide, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/367029
