Some of our most vulnerable patients/clients have a sensory deficit. An app which focused on patients with a vision and/or hearing loss was developed as an aid memoire for nursing students on placement. The intent was to embed the core values necessary for students to provide appropriate care for patients with a sensory deficit.

Nursing students at Queenʼs University Belfast attend a sensory awareness day during year one facilitated by RNIB and a Deaf Trainer. The evaluations taken following these events have been extremely positive with many students commenting on the insight they gained from listening to speakers and their lived experiences. This success encouraged us to consider ways of improving and developing this awareness further.

It was apparent that the most efficient, effective and practical way would be to engage in technology enhanced learning. The result was the development of a mobile software application (app) which utilised a teaching tool template with the essential aspects required for sensory awareness training.

Sponsorship to develop the app was awarded by the Martha McMenamin fund.

This app is specifically designed to provide information and advice for nursing students working with patients/ clients with a sensory impairment. To ensure that this was created using a person centred approach our service users were involved from the innovations inception through to its evaluation.

Overall nursing students positively evaluated the app. Qualitative evidence from service users and practice partnerships was extremely positive. Although initially created for nursing students it is applicable for all those engaged in healthcare.

It is hoped that further implementation of the app will show an improved quality to the care delivered to those with a sensory deficit. We believe that by working in partnership with service users we have helped to create an innovative tool that benefits both staff and patients.

Biography:
Susan Carlisle is a Lecturer in the school of Nursing and Midwifery at the Queenʼs University Belfast. She has published many articles in different journals.