A qualitative study of the ASPECT Patient Engagement Program designed to teach storytelling and advocacy skills to individuals with visual impairments and allies.

Purpose/objective: This study examined the impact of the ASPECT (Advocacy, Support, Perspective, Empowerment, Communication, and Training) Patient Engagement Program on its alumni in order to understand how they used the storytelling and advocacy skills they learned, determine the strengths of the program, and identify recommendations for strengthening the program.

Research Method/design: In spring 2023, eight focus groups and one interview were conducted with ASPECT Program alumni. Inductive coding was used to identify themes.

Results: Eight themes emerged and included: (a) reasons alumni joined the ASPECT Program, (b) value of combining persons with visual impairments and allies in one cohort, (c) reflections on personal growth, (d) developing and telling one's story, (e) networking with others, (f) advocacy activities, (g) strengths of the ASPECT Program, and (h) recommendations for improving the ASPECT Program.

Conclusions/implications: The ASPECT Program provided alumni the opportunity to better understand their own eye health and/or the eye health of others, learn to impactfully tell their story to diverse stakeholders, develop their advocacy skills, and network with others. The use of a training program that includes those with visual impairments and allies is an effective method for providing high-quality training to a diverse group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).