Consultations on driving in people with cognitive impairment in primary care: A scoping review of the evidence

Carol Sinnott; Tony Foley; Justin Forsyth; Kathleen McLoughlin; Linda Horgan; Colin P Bradley

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205580

Consultations on driving in people with cognitive impairment in primary care: A scoping review of the evidence

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 15;13(10):e0205580. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205580. eCollection 2018.

Authors

Carol Sinnott^{1

2}, Tony Foley², Justin Forsyth², Kathleen McLoughlin², Linda Horgan³, Colin P Bradley²

Affiliations

¹ THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
² Department of General Practice, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
³ Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.

Abstract

Objectives: To review the empirical evidence on approaches used by Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) in fitness to drive (FtD) consultations with people living with cognitive impairment.

Design: Scoping review of empirical literature focused on primary studies of any design.

Setting: Primary care practice.

Participants: PCPs or their equivalent and/ or individuals with cognitive impairment across the spectrum of mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

Measurements: Systematic search of Medline, Cinahl, PsychINFO, Academic Search Complete, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Collection, SocIndex and Social Sciences FT were conducted. Records screened by two reviewers against agreed inclusion criteria. Mixed studies (qualitative and quantitative) were synthesized within overarching themes.

Results: Eighteen studies met our inclusion criteria. Synthesized data showed PCPs have mixed feelings on the appropriateness of their role in FtD assessments, with many feeling particularly uncomfortable and lacking confidence in the context of possible cognitive impairment. Reasons include lack of familiarity with legal requirements and local resources; fear of damaging the doctor-patient relationship; and impact on the patient's quality of life. Patients voiced their desire to maintain agency in planning their driving cessation. Studies evaluating pragmatic educational programmes suggest these can improve physician confidence in FtD consultations.

Conclusion: The increasing number of older people affected by cognitive impairment, for whom driving may be a concern, has implications for primary care practice. Addressing the reasons for PCPs lack of comfort in dealing with this issue is essential in order for them to better engage in, collaborative discussion with patients on plans and preferences for driving cessation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Automobile Driving*
Cognitive Dysfunction / therapy*
Dementia / therapy*
Humans
Physician-Patient Relations
Physicians, Primary Care / psychology
Primary Health Care*
Referral and Consultation*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Road Safety Authority of Ireland (grant 1.2016). Carol Sinnott is funded, through a clinical lectureship, by the National Institute for Health Research, School for Primary Care Research (NIHR SPCR). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.