Still in first gear: Exploration of barriers for implementing driving cessation support

Abstract

Objective: Driving cessation is a major life transition; lack of support in this process may lead to deleterious outcomes in terms of physical, mental and social well-being. Despite approaches to driving cessation being developed, their integration into ongoing geriatric clinical practice has been slow.

Methods: Health-care providers were surveyed about their impressions of the barriers and facilitators to implementing a driving cessation intervention as part of regular clinical services. Methods of funding the intervention were queried. Surveys were sent via professional listserves and a snowballing strategy employed. Twenty-nine completed surveys were analysed by content analysis.

Results: Participants identified that an understanding of driving cessation and optimal driving cessation supports was required. They identified four key approaches to support the implementation of driving cessation support: the need to consider complexity and emotional support needs in clinical contexts; knowing and showing the outcomes by clearly communicating the benefits and values to different stakeholders; managing systemic barriers included workforce issues, funding models and efforts required for initiating and sustaining an intervention; and not doing it alone, but instead developing processes supports to collaboratively provide access to programs.

Conclusions: The current study reveals a recognition of unmet needs of older persons and families regarding driving cessation as well as signalling service delivery, costing and workforce needs which act as barriers.

Keywords: ageing; automobile driving; dementia; health services accessibility; health services availability.