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Driving and Dementia Toolkit

An Effective Practice

Description

The Driving and Dementia Toolkit helps physicians assess the driving skills of patients with dementia. Previous studies suggest that motor vehicle crash rates double in those with dementia. Patients frequently overestimate their driving capacity, while their family members underestimate this skill compared with a formal assessment. Primary care physicians are frequently asked to determine driving ability at the request of caregivers or licensing offices. The toolkit provides information to assist physicians in the office assessment of driving skills, in communicating results of the assessment to patients and their caregivers, and in linking patients and family members with the appropriate community resources. The toolkit consists of background information on the topic, local resources, necessary forms to access these services, screen questions about older drivers' safety, patient-related information, and a list of frequently asked questions.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this toolkit is increase health care provider knowledge and confidence in assessing the driving skills of patients with dementia.

Results / Accomplishments

In a pre- and post-evaluation physician knowledge and confidence in dealing with driving and dementia increased significantly (p < 0.05) for most of the toolkit content questions. The average number of correct questions answers significantly increased from 5.3 to 7.7 out of a possible 9 (p < 0.001). Study participants reported the intention to begin including additional questions in the patient/caregiver interview when assessing a patient's fitness to drive. Overall satisfaction with the toolkit rated an average of 8.4 out of 10.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
The Ottawa Hospital Geriatric Day Hospital
Primary Contact
Anna Byszewski, MD
Geriatric Assessment Unit
The Ottawa Hospital
Civic Campus
1053 Carling Avenue
Ottawa ON
Canada K1Y 4E9
abyszewski@ottawahospital.on.ca
Topics
Health / Older Adults
Community / Public Safety
Community / Transportation
Organization(s)
The Ottawa Hospital Geriatric Day Hospital
Source
The Ottawa Hospital Geriatric Day Hospital
Date of publication
Oct 2003
Date of implementation
1997
Location
Ottawa, Canada
For more details
Target Audience
Older Adults
Healthy Marin