This letter describes a retrospective study performed to identify whether patients were given appropriate advice regarding driving following transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or stroke and to investigate doctors' awareness of the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) guidelines. Hospital notes of patients with a discharge diagnosis of TIA or cerebro vasculair accident (CVA) during a six-month period were reviewed. Of the 30 patients who met the study criteria, driving status was recorded in the notes of two patients (7%). Advice given regarding driving on discharge was not documented in any of the patients' notes. The authors subsequently contacted 25 of the 30 patients by telephone and asked them about driving status and advice given on discharge. Out of the 25 patients 15 (60%) stated they had been car drivers, of whom nine (60%) continued to drive. Only four (16%) of the 25 patients recalled being asked about driving status and being given driving advice, of which two were given the correct advice. In addition, on questioning the authors found that only four out of 35 doctors involved were aware of the correct guidelines. For reactions to this letter see C 26459 fo and C 26460 fo.
Abstract