The objective of this project was to create a valid and effective self-screening instrument that provided individualized information for older adult drivers. The project intended to improve upon existing self-screening instruments by focusing on health concerns rather than the medical condition or medications that produced the concern, allowing for a much more comprehensive self-screening than has been possible previously. By linking the severity of health concerns to their effect on critical driving skills, the instrument provides five types of individualized feedback: general awareness; self awareness; individualized recommendations for behavioral changes; individualized recommendations for further evaluation; and individualized recommendations for vehicle modifications. Development involved a literature review, expert panel, focus groups, workbook logic, and programming the instrument. The evaluation portion of the study involved administering a questionnaire to 68 older adult participants after they had completed the self-screening instrument. The validation portion of the activity involved statistically comparing participants’ results from the self-screening instrument to results from an on-road driving assessment and a series of clinical tests to evaluate cognitive, visual, and psychomotor abilities. Both the clinical evaluation and on-road driving assessment were administered through a driving assessment program operated by the University of Michigan. The results showed that more than three-fourths of subjects indicated that the workbook made them more aware of how changes can affect driving and more than 90 percent thought the workbook information was useful as a reminder. More than one-third of subjects discovered a change in themselves for which they were previously unaware. Large percentages of subjects indicated plans to engage in behaviors to maintain safe transportation with 42 percent planning to change how they drive; 33 percent planning to take a driving refresher course; and 53 percent planning to talk with a doctor. More than three-fourths would use it again in the future; more than 90 percent would recommend it older family members and friends; and 94 percent thought the workbook would serve as a useful way to discuss driving concerns with family members. Overall, subjects’ scores on the workbook were significantly correlated with the clinical evaluation scores and on-road driving performance scores. In conclusion, the SAFER Driving: Enhanced Driving Decisions Workbook is a useful, valid, and effective self-screening instrument for older adult drivers. The tool is free and in the public domain at: http://www.um-saferdriving.org. (Author/publisher)
Abstract