Hawley, Carol (2015) Knowledge and attitudes of occupational therapists to giving advice on fitness to drive. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, Volume 78 (Number 6). pp. 339-348. doi:10.1177/0308022614562402 ISSN 0308-0226.

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Abstract

Introduction:
A range of medical conditions can affect driving, and health professionals should advise patients accordingly. This study examined the knowledge of occupational therapists, other therapists and psychologists regarding medical standards for driving, their attitudes to advising patients about driving, and barriers to giving that advice.

Method:
A structured questionnaire measured knowledge of medical standards and attitudes to advising patients about driving. Analyses compared responses of occupational therapists with those of other therapists and psychologists. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with therapists and psychologists after they had watched a video-taped clinical consultation with an actor–patient who was unfit to drive. Interviewees, unaware that the study was about driving, were asked how they would advise the patient. Focus groups were held with a range of health professionals to discuss facilitators and barriers to giving driving advice.

Results:
Eighty-two questionnaires were completed. Occupational therapists were most aware of driving guidelines and most likely to advise patients to stop driving (p < 0.01). A total of 98% of occupational therapists believed they should discuss driving compared with 68% of other therapists and psychologists (p < 0.01). Therapists were more likely than psychologists to spontaneously raise the issue of driving after viewing the video-consultation.

Conclusion:
Occupational therapists are well placed to expand their role in advising patients about fitness to drive. For this they require additional training and clarification of their role and legal responsibilities.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Mental Health and Wellbeing Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Automobile driving -- Health aspects
Journal or Publication Title:	British Journal of Occupational Therapy
Publisher:	Sage Publications Ltd.
ISSN:	0308-0226
Official Date:	June 2015
Dates:	Date Event June 2015 Published 14 April 2015 Available 11 July 2014 Accepted 13 February 2014 Submitted
Volume:	Volume 78
Number:	Number 6
Number of Pages:	10
Page Range:	pp. 339-348
DOI:	10.1177/0308022614562402
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Date of first compliant deposit:	30 December 2015
Date of first compliant Open Access:	30 December 2015
Funder:	Great Britain. Department for Transport (DfT)

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