Perspectives on Tiered Older Driver Assessment in Primary Care Settings

Widespread screening of older drivers, with in-depth evaluation only of those who screen positive ("tiered assessment"), might efficiently balance driver safety and mobility. To inform program development, we sought to examine the perspectives of older drivers and clinicians on the concept...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Gerontologist 2016-04, Vol.56 (2), p.272-281
Main Authors: Betz, Marian E, Jones, Jacqueline, Genco, Emma, Carr, David B, DiGuiseppi, Carolyn, Haukoos, Jason S, Lowenstein, Steven R, Schwartz, Robert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidents, Traffic - prevention & control
Accidents, Traffic - psychology
Aged
Automobile drivers
Automobile Driving - psychology
Automobiles
Communication
Constraints
Counseling
Development programs
Focus groups
Focus Groups - methods
Humans
Interpersonal communication
Older people
Physician's Role - psychology
Physician-Patient Relations - ethics
Primary care
Primary Health Care - organization & administration
Qualitative Research
Tests
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Summary:Widespread screening of older drivers, with in-depth evaluation only of those who screen positive ("tiered assessment"), might efficiently balance driver safety and mobility. To inform program development, we sought to examine the perspectives of older drivers and clinicians on the concept of tiered assessment in primary care settings. Iterative focus groups and interviews with 33 community-dwelling current drivers aged ≥65 years and 8 primary care providers. We used inductive and deductive theme analysis to explore driver and clinician perspectives and to identify barriers and facilitators to establishing a tiered older driver assessment program in primary care settings. Four dominant themes emerged. Two themes addressed the overall concept: (a) support for the concept of tiered older driver assessment and (b) concerns about the consequences of older driver assessment and how these could affect program viability. Two themes addressed screening: (c) tension inherent in using a generalized approach to the highly individualized issue of driving and (d) logistical considerations for screening in primary care settings. Standardized older driver screening and referral might improve clinician-driver communication, but screening should occur in a context that includes personalized mobility counseling.
ISSN:0016-9013
1758-5341
DOI:10.1093/geront/gnu038