Is your older patient at risk? Evaluation of a web curriculum that educates physicians regarding assessing, counseling, and treating older drivers

Physicians and other health professionals are often faced with questions about the ability of their older patients to drive, yet may lack the knowledge and/or confidence to respond. This is a challenging topic, in which injury prevention is the goal for the patient, family and society. To assist physicians and residents-in-training to improve their knowledge and ability to assess, counsel, and treat older adults, a web based curriculum was designed. A mixed method study collected data from 6 sites (2 physician practices and 4 resident programs). Participants (n=260) completed pre/post survey questionnaires to assess the level of knowledge, knowledge gained, and practice improvement implications. Findings highlight that 90% of the participants increased their knowledge and level of confidence about older adult driving and found the course (1 hour) and the educational resources to be beneficial for practice. Ninety-three percent (93%) were now more comfortable to assess, counsel and treat older drivers about driving retirement and there were significant increases (p<.001) in becoming familiar with state driving laws and regulations, having discussions on driver safety and having familiarity with driving rehabilitation options. This web based curriculum highlights that there is a strong interest among providers for more knowledge to assess, treat, and counsel older drivers. A web based curriculum that provides a variety of methods to engage participants, and apply the knowledge to practice proved to be beneficial.