300 Section - Patient Knowledge and Preferences on Return to Driving Education: An Inpatient Rehabilitation Survey

• To evaluate current practices in Return To Driving (RTD) education provided to patients in an inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) setting


• To assess awareness of RTD amongst patients undergoing neurorehabilitation


• To identify patient preferences regarding the delivery of RTD information

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the IPR wards of two metropolitan hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Consecutive patients with a new neurological condition admitted for ≥7 days, and with a planned discharge within 30 days at the time of survey, were invited to participate. Following informed consent, patients completed a structured questionnaire.

Results:

Sixty-four patients participated (39 male, 60.9%; 25 female, 39.1%), with a mean age of 61.0 years. Mean length of stay at the time of survey was 49.0 days. Stroke was the most common diagnosis (n=40, 62.5%), followed by brain tumour (n=5, 7.8%). Forty-six patients (71.9%) held a current driver’s licence, of whom 35 (76.1%) had been driving up to 3 months prior to admission. Among these, 26 (56.5%) intended to RTD post discharge. Only 10 patients (21.7%) recalled receiving RTD education from clinicians during acute or IPR admission. The majority (n=31, 67.4%) felt they had not received sufficient information about RTD. When asked which clinician should provide RTD education most nominated the rehabilitation physician (n=34, 73.9%), followed by the occupational therapist (n=8, 17.4%).

Conclusion:

A substantial proportion of neurological IPR patients hold a driver’s licence and intend to return to driving after discharge. However, few recalled receiving education on RTD, and most reported inadequate information. Patients expressed a preference for receiving guidance from rehabilitation doctors. Enhancing structured RTD education should be considered a priority within IPR programs.