Citation

Irani SR, Cader MZ, Butterworth RJ. Clin. Med. (Lond.) 2006; 6(2): 217-219.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Royal College of Physicians of London)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16688989

Abstract

In August 2001, the Drivers Medical Group (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)) distributed guidelines on medical standards of fitness to drive to all UKbased medical practitioners. Since then, they have updated their guidelines biannually, following working group meetings.

The survey reported here used a structured questionnaire, incorporating common medical scenarios, to examine the accessibility of the DVLA guidelines and of doctors' knowledge of their fundamental points.

Overall, the results of the survey demonstrate that only one-third of patients will receive correct driving advice for many of the commonest acute medical conditions, such as syncope and possible seizures. Not only was doctors' knowledge poor but awareness of where and how to obtain information was inadequate. Our data suggested that consultants demonstrated the best knowledge, followed by SHOs.

In view of the medico-legal and public safety issues, it is clear that educational measures are needed.

Language: en