Refinement of the Low Vision Independence Measure: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to improve clinical utility of the Low Vision Independence Measure (LVIM) and strengthen its content validity. Methods: A two-part qualitative emergent design was used. Low vision therapists’ opinions were collected first with a questionnaire and then with a focus group. Results: Findings indicated that clinical utility of the LVIM could be improved by adding comment sections and moving some of its items or subsections. The content validity of the LVIM could be strengthened through the additions of new items to some subsections, new subsections, and item lists, as well as rewording of some items. Therapists acknowledged current LVIM strengths of client-centeredness, ability to identify problem areas upon which to formulate a plan of care, versatility for use in different treatment settings, efficient administration, and cultural sensitivity. Conclusions: Further research is needed on the refined LVIM to establish its psychometric properties.

KEYWORDS. :

• Low vision
• outcome measures
• clinical utility
• content validity
• qualitative research