Driving assessment issues for practicing clinicians.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Practical issues facing rehabilitation clinicians working with survivors of brain injuries who wish to return to motor vehicle operations are considerable, and this challenge will likely only increase in the future. Although unpleasant, clinicians cannot avoid the legal and ethical issues associated with this aspect of rehabilitation. Clinicians also face numerous problems in terms of a variety of assessment and treatment strategies, most with limited demonstrated ecological validity, and few, if any, clear guidelines for rehabilitation of the driver. Clinicians may not have access to "driving tests," simulators and computer programs, specialized personnel, or adaptive driving programs. CONCLUSION: Practical clinical issues such as these are reviewed, along with suggestions for a number of effective clinical approaches.