Citation

Alkharboush GA, Al Rashed FA, Saleem AH, Alnajashi IS, Almeneessier AS, Olaish AH, Bhatti JA, Bahammam AS. Traffic Injury Prev. 2017; 18(5): 488-492.

Affiliation

University Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine , College of Medicine, King Saud University , Saudi Arabia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389588.2016.1274029

PMID

28055233

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a significant health burden in Saudi Arabia. The literature has consistently indicated that chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, obstructive sleep apnea, and neurodevelopmental disorders, increase the risk of MVCs. Therefore, assessment of driver fitness by primary care physicians (PCPs) remains a major health intervention that might reduce MVCs. We studied the practices of PCPs in assessing medical fitness-to-drive in at-risk patients.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of all 88 government-funded primary care centers in the city of Riyadh. We administered a self-reported questionnaire to PCPs that inquired about their driving risk assessment for specific medical conditions.

RESULTS: Among all PCPs and centers, 189 PCPs (63%) from 74 centers (84%) participated in our survey. The mean age of the PCPs was 40 ± 10 years, and 108 (57%) were men. The average clinical experience of the group was 13 ± 9 years. Fewer than half of PCPs considered diabetes mellitus (45%) and obstructive sleep apnea (46%) as potential risks for MVCs. Approximately 45% of PCPs did not notify any authority or relatives of potential driving issues that they noticed in their patients. Only 15% of the participants believed that PCPs were responsible for alerting authorities about their fitness-to-drive.

CONCLUSIONS: PCPs did not adequately assess their patients' driving history and eligibility. Efforts are needed to improve awareness among PCPs regarding the effects of chronic medical conditions on driving.

Language: en