The purpose of the present study was to compare Finnish and Swedish general practitioners' (GPs) activities, knowledge, and attitudes related to ageing and driving, in order to evaluate the effects of the two countries' different driver licensing policies. The hypothesis was that because of their experience of the obligatory health controls, the Finnish general practitioners would be better informed and more active in handling the issue of driving fitness with their older patients than the Swedish ones who lack this sort of experience. A random sample of 3000 Swedish and Finnish general practitioners were asked in a mail survey about their activities, knowledge and attitudes in regard to their driving patients aged 65 years or more. The results showed that the strict Finnish policy of license renewal for older drivers did not make the GPs better informed or more active in dealing with driving-related issues among older patients. The activity and knowledge differences between Swedish and Finnish GPs were small. The Swedish doctors were, however, somewhat more active, and knew more about dementia as a risk factor. The Finnish doctors had nevertheless greater confidence in their own ability to assess the driving ability of elderly patients. They also had more restrictive attitudes. Thus the hypothesis was not supported by the findings. The Finnish system does not make GPs better equipped to deal with the issue of ageing and driving than the Swedish ones. It may even be counterproductive in creating an illusory confidence among the finnish GPs in their own ability in assessing driving fitness. (Author/publisher)
Abstract