Epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between the exposure to driving-impairing medicines (DIMs) and the risk of having a traffic accident. Despite the increased consumption of these medicines throughout Europe, studies on patients’ knowledge and awareness regarding the influence of DIMs on driving fitness, as well as healthcare professionals’ role during the prescribing and dispensing of DIMs, are scarce. In order to provide more insight, several studies were conducted. The main objectives were to evaluate patients’ knowledge on this topic, as well as developing tools, such as a pictogram, a categorization system and a training course for pharmacists, to raise patients’ and HCPs’ awareness regarding the risks of driving under the influence of DIMs. The main results showed that patients’ knowledge regarding the influence of DIMs on driving fitness can still be improved and new strategies are needed to change patients’ driving behaviour. Additionally, the way the information is communicated to patients, as well as the type of information provided which contributes to increase patients’ knowledge, can also be enhanced. The developed pictogram was not fully self-explanatory in conveying safety-related messages, stressing the importance of complementary information provided by the HCPs. However, HCPs have shown the need for decision support tools on how to communicate risk messages to their patients. The categorization system, as developed, could be seen as a tool to address the needs of HCPs, since it may not only motivate HCP-patient discussions but would also allow tailoring the information according to patients’ needs. (Author/publisher)
Abstract