Assessing Eye Clinic Accessibility: A Study Validating and Applying the SiteWise Survey

Authors

Jason Dossantos, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Anne T. Riddering, Henry Ford Health, Department of Ophthalmology, Detroit, MI, USA.
Laura C. Ndjonko, Department of Biological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
Hassaam S. Choudhry, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
Nicolas Gasquet, Wilmer Eye institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Xiangrong Kong, Wilmer Eye institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Pradeep Y. Ramulu, Wilmer Eye institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Mona A. Kaleem, Wilmer Eye institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

10-1-2024

Journal

Translational vision science & technology

Volume

13

Issue

10

DOI

10.1167/tvst.13.10.37

Abstract

PURPOSE: To validate the SiteWise survey as a reliable tool for assessing the accessibility of outpatient ophthalmology clinics for visually impaired patients and to compare accessibility between hospital-based and satellite clinics. METHODS: This quality improvement study, conducted from January to December 2023, used the SiteWise survey to assess design features in seven satellite and two hospital-based clinics within the Wilmer Eye Institute network. Independent surveyors evaluated elements such as parking, sidewalks, entrances, and interior areas. Reliability was measured using Krippendorf's alpha, and accessibility scores were compared using generalized estimated equations, analyses of variance, and t tests. RESULTS: The SiteWise survey demonstrated high reliability with a Krippendorf's alpha of 0.99. Hospital-based clinics had higher accessibility scores (mean 78.9%) compared to satellite clinics (mean 71.3%, P < 0.05). Areas such as hallways (mean 89%) and waiting areas (mean 87%) scored highest, whereas parking lots/sidewalks (mean 61%) and stairways (mean 61%) scored lowest, indicating significant room for improvement in these areas. CONCLUSIONS: The SiteWise tool is reliable and effective in identifying accessibility deficiencies in outpatient ophthalmology clinics. Although indoor areas generally scored well, outdoor and transitional spaces require significant enhancements to improve accessibility for visually impaired patients. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: This study bridges the gap between basic research and clinical care by providing a validated tool to assess and improve the accessibility of eye care facilities, ensuring they meet the needs of visually impaired patients.

APA Citation

Dossantos, Jason; Riddering, Anne T.; Ndjonko, Laura C.; Choudhry, Hassaam S.; Gasquet, Nicolas; Kong, Xiangrong; Ramulu, Pradeep Y.; and Kaleem, Mona A., "Assessing Eye Clinic Accessibility: A Study Validating and Applying the SiteWise Survey" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 5887.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/5887

Department

School of Medicine and Health Sciences Student Works