Primary care physicians hold the car keys: A qualitative exploration of the driver assessment role
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Australians are living and continuing to drive while older because of improved medical care. Queensland drivers aged over 75 years submit to annual mandatory medical examinations, which is often stressful for both general practitioner (GP) and patient. Driving cessation has negative health outcomes, yet impaired driving is dangerous. This study's aim was to elucidate factors that could lead to a more standardised, fair mandatory assessment. METHOD: Ten GPs' semi-structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). RESULTS: Themes from the data obtained were: relationships; the big worry; and standards, equity and fairness. GPs acknowledged the difficulty conducting these assessments. Focused education was lacking. Senior doctors only saw long-term patients whereas registrars were assigned new patients. Cognitive impairment was difficult to assess and legal-liability was concerning. DISCUSSION: Current inequities stem from lack of focused GP education; a mismatch of GP skills for new patient assessments; unfunded functional assessment; and ill‑defined legal liability.
Authors: John MH Gillett, Mark King, Julie-Anne Carroll, Melanie White
Institution: Queensland University of Technology
Language: English
Topic: Older Adults Driving Studies
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4416987208
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