Résumé
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess how often and for what
reasons general practitioners (GPs) consider older drivers
medically unfit to drive.
METHODS: All GPs certified to carry out fitness-to-drive
assessments in Geneva (medical assessors, n = 69), as
well as a random sample of 500 GPs practising in Vaud,
Neuchatel and Jura, were asked to complete a questionnaire
about the mean number of assessments per week,
the number of negative decisions in the previous year and
the main reason for the most recent negative decision.
RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were returned by
268 respondents (45 medical assessors and 223 other
GPs, participation rate: 47%). The mean proportion of drivers
with a negative decision was 2.2% (standard deviation
[SD] 3.3). The proportion was slightly lower among
medical assessors (1.1%, SD 1.3) compared to other GPs
(2.3%, SD 3.3, p <0.001). The main reasons for being considered
medically unfit to drive were cognitive (64%) and
visual acuity impairments (18%).
CONCLUSIONS: GPs in this survey reported considering
approximately 2% of older drivers as medically unfit to drive,
mainly because of cognitive and visual acuity impairments.
Further research should identify how GPs decide if
older drivers are fit or unfit, and assess the effectiveness
of medical screening in reducing car crashes involving older
drivers.