Mental impairment and driving licences for elderly people--a survey among Norwegian general practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
Study how GPs assess mental function when a health certificate for elderly drivers has to be issued.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire survey.


METHODS
Nationwide survey.


METHODS
Random sample of 532 Norwegian general practitioners, response rate 54%.


METHODS
Open and closed questions.


RESULTS
Various types of examinations and assessments are carried out in this context. More than 50% always assess mental function. Only 22% use formal mental tests, mostly when in doubt. The assessment of elderly patients for a health certificate for driving is regarded by many as a difficult problem.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a lack of uniformity in issuing a health certificate to elderly drivers, a low use of formal cognitive testing, and problems facing GPs in this context. More concrete guidelines and a formal second-line system would facilitate an objective assessment and could also alleviate the burden on the doctor.
Braekhus
A
A
Research Group in Geriatrics, Norwegian Health Association, Ullevaal Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Engedal
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires