In an inspiring collaboration between healthcare disciplines, OutsideClinic recently led a unique shadowing experience between nursing and domiciliary optometry. This initiative saw Harriet, a dedicated nursing student at the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol, immerse herself in the distinctive world of domiciliary eye care under the mentorship of experienced OutsideClinic optometrist, Kate O'Brien. We hear from Kate and Harriet about the experience. 

Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting a shadow day for my dear friend, Harriet, who's pursuing a nursing degree at UWE in Bristol. We've been inseparable since meeting at Bestival on the Isle of Wight many moons ago. Harriet was keen to gain experience in a different health field as part of her course, and what better way than to dive into the world of domiciliary optometry?

A day of discovery: The impact of vision on overall health

As an optometrist, I think it’s really important for other health professionals to understand the benefit of an eye test and the different systemic pathologies an eye test can help to detect but I was actually struck about how eye opening it was for me too.

For Harriet, working mainly on a stroke ward, the relevance of optometry was immediately clear. I felt it was important for her to understand the benefit of an eye test and the different systemic pathologies an eye test can help to detect. Understanding the link between systemic and ocular pathologies can be really beneficial in terms of appropriate diagnoses and management.

We spent the day discussing the impacts of various conditions on eye health and how visual conditions can impact a person’s independence and ability to complete daily tasks like reading medicine packets, signing their name. We also discussed the link between smoking and eye health and diabetes. I think she benefited from seeing diabetics at home in their own environment and listening to their history and symptoms and seeing the impact is was having on their eyes.

The biggest takeaway for Harriet was understanding the unique perspective domiciliary care provides—seeing patients in their own environment, which can be vastly different from a hospital setting. “I am used to seeing patients in a hospital environment and being able to control most things,” said Harriet. “Going to their homes was an eye opener as it gave patients full autonomy over their care. Seeing how Kate communicates with her patients was thought-provoking and it was great to see how she changed how she did this, tailoring it to each patient.”

Learning from each other: Enhancing patient care through interdisciplinary insights

A Safeguarding trainer told me once that Optometrists have a unique position in health care as they often get to sit with a patient a little longer than others, and listen a little more. I’ve always remembered this, and I think it’s really relevant. I hope that observing the way we communicate with our patients will be helpful to Harriet.

For me, taking the time to sit with another professional and gain experience from their knowledge was so worthwhile. I found it really useful listening to Harriet’s experiences in a hospital environment. She gave me a lot to consider, which I will incorporate into my practice; including early signs of stroke, considering pharmaceutical interactions and diabetics and the significance systematic impact of poor glucose control.

I am pleased that Harriet gained a lot from the day and it has helped her towards her nursing degree.

Discover the rewards of a career in domiciliary optometry

This enriching experience between Kate and Harriet underscores the profound impact domiciliary optometry can have on both patient care and professional development. For optometrists considering a fulfilling and varied career path, domiciliary work offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, providing care that extends beyond traditional settings and directly enhances patient independence and quality of life. To explore the diverse and rewarding world of domiciliary optometry further, we invite you to visit our Discover Domiciliary page. Here, you’ll find more about how this career choice can enrich your professional journey and positively impact your patients' lives.

Explore our blog below for insightful stories that highlight the transformative power of domiciliary eye care. One standout example is our recent visit to Eric, a compelling case study demonstrating the profound impact domiciliary care can have. Eric's quality of life saw remarkable improvements after receiving a domiciliary eye test, showcasing the significant benefits of tailored, in-home care - you can read more about Eric's story here. Embark on a fulfilling career journey in optometry and discover how you can play a pivotal role in boosting patient independence and wellbeing through domiciliary care.