title: Driving policy after seizures and unexplained syncope: a practice guide for RI physicians.
abstract: Physicians in Rhode Island sometimes find it difficult to advise patients about returning to driving after they present with a seizure or syncopal episode due to lack of statutory or professional guidance on the issue. We provide an overview of the medical literature on public policies and recommendations regarding driving after seizures or syncope. We also present the laws in Rhode Island regarding physician notification of the medical advisory board of the Department of Motor Vehicles, legal obligations, and immunity from prosecution for those who report. Finally, we present the results of a survey of current practice by Rhode Island neurologists when they advise patients who have had a recent seizure or unexplained syncopal event. Based upon this information, we hope local practitioners are empowered in their decision making on driving restrictions and we hope this data informs future public policy efforts.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Resident at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University (Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Maxwell E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Afari
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Neurology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Dept. of Neurology, Rhode Island Hospital.
authors.forename: Andrew S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinical) at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and Chief, Neurology Section, Providence VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Mernoff
authors.affiliation: Professor of Neurology at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Director of the Alzheimer's Disease & Memory Disorders Center, Department of Neurology, Rhode Island Hospital.
authors.forename: Brian R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Ott
mesh_terms: D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009462:Neurology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012237:Rhode Island; D012640:Seizures; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013575:Syncope
keywords: driving recommendations; seizures