We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Canadian psychiatrists' current attitudes, practices, and knowledge regarding fitness to drive in individuals with mental illness: a cross-Canada survey.
- Authors
Ménard, Ingrid; Korner-Bitensky, Nicol; Dobbs, Bonnie; Casacalenda, Nicola; Beck, Philip R.; Gélinas, Isabelle; Molnar, Frank J.; Naglie, Gary; Ménard, Ingrid; Dippsych, C M; Gélinas, Isabelle
- Abstract
<bold>Objectives: </bold>To assess current attitudes, practices, and knowledge of Canadian psychiatrists regarding fitness to drive in individuals with mental illness and to explore variations according to provincial legislation.<bold>Method: </bold>We carried out a national cross-sectional survey, using a random sample of psychiatrists. We used a mail survey to collect data.<bold>Results: </bold>In total, 248 psychiatrists participated; the response rate was 54.2% on traced subjects. The majority (64.1%) reported that they strongly agreed or agreed that addressing patients' fitness to drive is an important issue. However, only 18.0% of respondents were always aware of whether their patients were active drivers. One-fourth strongly agreed or agreed that they were confident in their ability to evaluate fitness to drive. In discretionary provinces, 29.3% of psychiatrists reported not knowing their provincial legislation, as did 14.6% of psychiatrists in mandatory provinces; of those responding, 54.0% from discretionary provinces and 2.8% from mandatory provinces gave incorrect answers.<bold>Discussion: </bold>Psychiatrists' responses demonstrate a broad range of attitudes, practices, and knowledge. There appears to be a large gap between what is expected of psychiatrists and their readiness and self-perceived ability to make informed clinical decisions related to driving safety.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>There is a clear need for education and guidelines to assist psychiatrists in decision making about driving fitness.
- Subjects
CANADA; MENTAL illness; PATHOLOGICAL psychology; MENTAL health surveys; PERSONALITY disorders; PSYCHOSES; DEMENTIA; LEARNING disabilities; PSYCHIATRISTS; PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 2006, Vol 51, Issue 13, p836
- ISSN
0706-7437
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1177/070674370605101305