Identifying current driver rehabilitation practices for clients with physical impairments

Abstract

Introduction: Driving is an important occupation that influences a person’s ability to access community resources and participate in meaningful activities. Occupational therapists and other clinicians who are trained as driver rehabilitation specialists provide interventions to improve function and independence in driving. The objective of this study was to examine consistency of adaptive driving equipment prescription and driver retraining recommendations for clients with physical impairment and identify factors that influence driver rehabilitation recommendations. Methods: Clinicians practicing in Canada and the United States were surveyed electronically. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results: Out of 36 respondents, the majority (97.2%) were occupational therapists. Completion of in-clinic (97.0%) and on-road (84.4%) evaluations were consistent among the majority of respondents, yet components comprising evaluations varied. Fewer respondents were in agreement in equipment recommendations for secondary controls. Respondents emphasized the importance of clinical reasoning skills when making equipment and intervention recommendations. Conclusion: Further development of clinical guidelines and advanced training in driver rehabilitation may be beneficial to facilitate clinical reasoning and improve consistency of practice.