Driving and depression: Irish health professional's perspectives

Background: Previous international studies have concluded that health professionals including occupational therapists often have poor knowledge of medical fitness to drive guidelines, how to assess driving fitness and... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Previous international studies have concluded that health professionals including occupational therapists often have poor knowledge of medical fitness to drive guidelines, how to assess driving fitness and infrequently advise service users about how their medical condition may affect their driving ability.

Study Aim:
To assess Consultant Psychiatrists, General Practitioners and Occupational Therapists knowledge, attitudes and current practice in an Irish context related to fitness to drive, awareness of the guidelines and compliance with regulations for individuals with depression.

Method: Cross-sectional survey (electronic & paper) using a structured questionnaire.

Ethics: Ethical approval received from SPMHS.

Results: In total 228 health professionals participated (Consultant Psychiatrists n=60, General Practitioners n=72 and Occupational Therapists n=96). 54% (n=122) of health professionals reported they were aware of the Slainte agus Tiomaint medical fitness to drive guidelines. 39% (n=90) of respondents indicated that they routinely discuss driving with 57% (n=131) of health professionals reporting a discussion or informal assessment being the most common evaluation method. 75% of health professionals (n=170) reported assessment of fitness to drive was important and 82% (n=187) of health professionals agreed they have a duty of care to patients and the public to discuss driving.

Conclusion: Health professionals acknowledge that discussing fitness to drive is important however they do not routinely do it as standard practice perhaps as a result of lack confidence in performing driving assessments. Education about assessing driving fitness is needed to assist health professionals of all disciplines in making decisions about fitness to drive with individuals with depression.