Canadian psychiatrists' current attitudes, practices, and knowledge regarding fitness to drive in individuals with mental illness: a cross-Canada survey.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
We carried out a national cross-sectional survey, using a random sample of psychiatrists. We used a mail survey to collect data.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a clear need for education and guidelines to assist psychiatrists in decision making about driving fitness.
Ménard
Ingrid
I
School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quecbec. Ingrid.menard@mail.mcgill.ca
Korner-Bitensky
Nicol
N
Dobbs
Bonnie
B
Casacalenda
Nicola
N
Beck
Philip R
PR
Dippsych
C M
CM
Gélinas
Isabelle
I
Molnar
Frank J
FJ
Naglie
Gary
G
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires