Clinicians' perspectives on the impact of the Oxford visual perception screen in stroke care: a mixed methods study.

Abstract

The study investigates the clinical impact of the Oxford Visual Perception Screen (OxVPS), a standardised assessment for post-stroke visual perception difficulties. . In this mixed-method study, OxVPS use, benefits, and changes to practice were explored through repeated cross-sectional user surveys 3 (<i>n</i> = 234), 6 (<i>n</i> = 136), 12 months (<i>n</i> = 70) post-registration and interviews with 33 health professionals. At 3-6 months, 85% of participants reported using OxVPS, compared to 94% at 12 months. Between 54% and 67% of participants said that OxVPS had influenced their clinical practice. The survey data revealed that OxVPS amplified awareness of visual perception difficulties in 89%-98% of participants, and interviews highlighted increased knowledge. For 48% of participants, OxVPS had become the standard screening tool. Both interviews and surveys showed ease of implementation: participants found OxVPS quicker (71%-76%), easier to use (72%-81%), more suitable for their patients (77%- 85%), and more user-friendly (74%-78%) than other screening tools. OxVPS allowed 93%-94% of participants to screen patients in a more standardised way and supported rehabilitation planning. Ninety-four percent would recommend OxVPS to a colleague. Clinicians find OxVPS quicker and easier to use compared to other assessments, and supportive of rehabilitation planning. Consequently, more patients are assessed in a standardised way.