Author Topic: (Abst.) Driver skills assessment--people w/MS  (Read 113 times)

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Offline agate

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(Abst.) Driver skills assessment--people w/MS
« on: February 22, 2014, 10:37:24 am »
This abstract seems to be from a source that isn't peer-reviewed but it's on such an important topic that it deserves attention.

People with MS suffer from diminishing mobility particularly severely in a car-dependent society like the US--and apparently this is a problem in Australia as well (the authors of the article are in Australia).  I've seen how often somebody with MS has to depend on a willing relative or friend for every trip outside the home.

This arrangement isn't an option for all too many people, and the options that are available leave much to be desired.  Using a paratransit system is not true mobility, not when a rider has to set up rides at least a day in advance (often a week in advance) and spend most of the day waiting and riding around on a vehicle that has many other riders to pick up and drop off, sometimes traveling many miles.

A passenger who must spend an hour or more waiting for a vehicle and then spend another two hours in transit before reaching home has probably missed a meal, missed medicine time, and missed a chance to visit a bathroom.  Not so easy for people with MS!

It's time for this issue of providing better transportation for people with chronic neurological or other disabilities to be dealt with. To be sure, having paratransit systems in most communities has been a great improvement over the way things were before--when there was no way of getting around. But there's plenty of room for some fine tuning.

From PubMed, February 22, 2014:

Quote
Disabil Rehabil. 2014 Feb 21.

Assessment and rehabilitation of driver skills: subjective experiences of people with multiple sclerosis and health professionals

Archer C1, Morris L, George S.

Author information

1School of Health Science, Flinders University, Repatriation General Hospital , Daw Park, Adelaide , Australia .

 Purpose:

It is acknowledged in the literature that the physical and cognitive effects of the degenerative neurological condition of multiple sclerosis can impact upon driver safety. The aim of this study was to identify the experiences and needs of people with multiple sclerosis in relation to driver assessment and rehabilitation.

Methods:

Focus group discussions were conducted with people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were: currently driving; no longer licensed or no longer driving and health professionals. Results: The four themes that emerged from the data were: (1) from self-management to formal assessment - a journey of uncertainty and emotional dilemmas; (2) lost independence with grieving and adjustment by self and family; (3) alternative transport is challenging and unsatisfactory; (4) gaps in information and services exist.

Conclusions:

The results of this study highlight the need for ongoing support in relation to driving for people with MS, ranging from support for self-management, driving assessment and retraining, and preparation for loss of license. Standardised information needs to be developed and health professionals and licensing authorities require knowledge and skills to ensure driver assessment and rehabilitation processes and resources can better meet the needs of people with MS.

 Implications for Rehabilitation:

There is a need for health professionals to examine driving in people with MS in a holistic manner taking into account the context for the person and the supports available. Self-management and self-assessment emerged as a preferred approach for the participants in this study, indicating that health professionals may need to engage with the process. Tools to support self-assessment of driving abilities for people with MS require further research. Indicators for review and formal assessment of driving abilities is needed. Alternative forms of transport require further investigation and improvement for people with MS.

PMID: 24555685

The abstract can be seen here.
MS Speaks--online for 17 years

SPMS, diagnosed 1980. Avonex 2001-2004. Copaxone 2007-2010. Glatopa (glatiramer acetate 40mg 3 times/week) since 12/16/20.