Citation

Fang J, Jirsch J, Wang S, Zhou D, Mu J, An D, Si Y, Zhao G. Epilepsy Behav. 2019; 94: 47-51.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China; Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: gzhao@zju.edu.cn.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.02.023

PMID

30884407

Abstract

PURPOSE AND METHODS: Persons with epilepsy (PWE) remain completely and permanently prohibited from driving in China currently. Previous studies have shown that a considerable proportion of PWE with uncontrolled seizures in China continue to drive motor vehicles. Discrepancy between Chinese policy and driving practices for PWE is potentially concerning. We conducted a preliminary online electronic questionnaire (e-questionnaire) survey among neurologists in China aiming to explore neurologists' attitudes toward the issue of driving among PWE.

RESULTS: A total of 358 neurologists completed the e-questionnaire with a response rate of 75.8%. 50.3% of neurologists stated that they knew the driving restriction law in China. With respect to reporting of cases to relevant driving authorities, 82.4% of neurologists never directly report PWE, and 90.8% consider that it is PWE's responsibility to report themselves. 87.4% of physicians surveyed indicated that the lack of clearly-articulated guidelines is a major impediment to their routine discussions of driving fitness for PWE. Subgroup analysis indicated that 76.2% of epileptologists were of the opinion that persons with well-controlled epilepsy should be allowed to drive versus 56.2% of general neurologists (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Currently, neurologists in China have a low awareness of the legal driving restriction for PWE and have highly varying practices with respect to counseling PWE about driving. According to our preliminary results, a clearly-articulated published national document for medical fitness for driving in China is necessary in order to standardize physicians' practices.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Attitudes; Driving; Electronic questionnaire survey; Epilepsy; Neurologist