Piloting the Coffs Harbour Executive Functioning Screen (CHEFS): An off-road tool to predict fitness to drive

• Published in: Applied neuropsychology. Adult 2024-10, p.1-9
• Main Authors: Hassmén, Peter, Hindman, Emily, Keiller, Tamara, Blair, Duncan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2327-9095; 2327-9109; 2327-9109
• DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2024.2418031

Mental processes responsible for goal-oriented behavior - executive functioning (EF) - include working memory, flexible thinking, and cognitive control. A reliable and valid assessment of EF can inform appropriate interventions and decisions to drive. We investigated the feasibility and validity of a short, iPad-administered EF screening tool in a non-clinical sample: the Coffs Harbour Executive Functioning Screen (CHEFS). Participants (  = 55) completed the CHEFS alongside a neuropsychological assessment of EF used to assess fitness to drive. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) showed that the CHEFS correctly classified 87% of participants to normative clinical ranges on the Verbal Fluency Test. The results suggest that CHEFS is a novel, easily administered tool for assessing EF in a non-clinical sample. DFA is an appropriate within-tool analysis to support the widespread administration of a screening tool to determine fitness to drive and classify patient referral needs. Further assessment is required to determine CHEFS reliability and validity with a broader range of participants varying in neuropsychological functioning, age, ethnicity, test experience, and compared to on-road driving performance.