title: Feasibility of a computer-delivered driver safety behavior screening and intervention program initiated during an emergency department visit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Injuries from motor vehicle crashes are a significant public health problem. The emergency department (ED) provides a setting that may be used to screen for behaviors that increase risk for motor vehicle crashes and provide brief interventions to people who might otherwise not have access to screening and intervention. The purpose of the present study was to (1) assess the feasibility of using a computer-assisted screening program to educate ED patients about risky driving behaviors, (2) evaluate patient acceptance of the computer-based traffic safety educational intervention during an ED visit, and (3) assess postintervention changes in risky driving behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre/posteducational intervention involving medically stable adult ED patients in a large urban academic ED serving over 100,000 patients annually. Patients completed a self-administered, computer-based program that queried patients on risky driving behaviors (texting, talking, and other forms of distracted driving) and alcohol use. The computer provided patients with educational information on the dangers of these behaviors and data were collected on patient satisfaction with the program. Staff called patients 1 month post-ED visit for a repeat query.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred forty-nine patients participated, and 111 completed 1-month follow up (75%); the mean age was 39 (range: 21-70), 59 percent were Hispanic, and 52 percent were male. Ninety-seven percent of patients reported that the program was easy to use and that they were comfortable receiving this education via computer during their ED visit. All driving behaviors significantly decreased in comparison to baseline with the following reductions reported: talking on the phone, 30 percent; aggressive driving, 30 percent; texting while driving, 19 percent; drowsy driving, 16 percent; driving while multitasking, 12 percent; and drinking and driving, 9 percent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, patients were very satisfied receiving educational information about these behaviors via computer during their ED visits and found the program easy to use. We found a high prevalence of self-reported risky driving behaviors in our ED population. At 1-month follow-up, patients reported a significant decrease in these behaviors. This study indicates that a low-intensity, computer-based educational intervention during an ED visit may be a useful approach to educate patients about safe driving behaviors and safe drinking limits and help promote behavior change.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. mary.murphy@yale.edu
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lounsbury
authors.forename: Polly
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bijur
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: E John
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012449:Safety; D055815:Young Adult