The Fitness to Drive Screening Measure: Case Studies

The University of Florida is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 5208. This distance learning is offered at .1 CEUs, introductory educational level, category 1 – Domain of OT – Occupations/ IADL, category 2 – Occupational Therapy Process – Occupational performance. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

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Instructor

Miriam Monahan

Miriam Monahan OTD, OTR/L CDRS, LDI

Adjunct Scholar

Dr. Miriam Monahan is an occupational therapist who has worked in the field of driver rehabilitation since 1998 as an educator and clinician, and is recognized for her clinical knowledge, intervention, and teaching skills in this area. She is a certified driver rehabilitation specialist (CDRS) and licensed driving school instructor (LDI). She has extensive experience with teen and novice drivers with special needs, drivers with neurological conditions, as well as senior drivers. She is well versed in adaptive equipment from low tech to high tech as well as van modifications. She has been an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Certificate in Driver Rehabilitation Therapy Program, a consultant at SmartDriver, a business owner, and a practicing clinician. Her research and scholarly work focuses on assessment and interventions to assist drivers with neurological conditions.

The Fitness to Drive Screening Measure (FTDS) is a web-based questionnaire for screening senior drivers who are potentially at-risk. The FTDS is completed by a family member or caregiver of the senior driver. The results of the FTDS provide recommendations for the next steps as well as resources. However, occupational therapists who are generalists or specialists in driving rehabilitation can also use the results of the FTDS to better manage their clients’ plan of care. This presentation will provide participants with an overview of the FTDS development and application. Through case studies, participants will learn how to analyze the FTDS results with clinical findings to inform their decisions about whether an on-road assessment is necessary. Participants will also learn how to use the FTDS key form results to complement the on-road assessment and as such provide a more comprehensive treatment plan and recommendations.

Target Audience

This course is well-suited for occupational therapy generalists, those specialized in driving rehabilitation, and certified driving rehabilitation specialists with a special interest in senior drivers’ fitness to drive safely.

Educational Level

Introductory: Course content is appropriate for practitioners with little or no knowledge of the subject matter who are seeking evidence-based knowledge of the topic with a focus on clinical application.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

  • Conceptualize the general psychometrics of the FTDS. (10 mins)
  • Explain the FTDS ratings and summarize the recommendations for each rating. (25 mins)
  • Use evidence-based clinical assessments in conjunction with the FTDS results to make informed decisions about the next (driving) steps for a client. (25 mins)
  • Construct a plan of care with the FTDS results that targets specific driving concerns that may or may not have been evident during the on-road assessment. (11 mins)

AOTA Classification Codes

  • Category 1: Domain of OT – Occupations/ IADL
  • Category 2: Occupational Therapy Process – Occupational performance

Completion Requirements

0.1 AOTA CEUs (1 Contact Hour for State of Florida Occupational Therapy practitioners) will be awarded upon a successful completion of a multiple choice post-test. Participants will be able to print a certificate of completion after completing a short course evaluation in addition to the post-test.

Disclosure Statement

Instructors have stated that they have not received funding to support this training. The instructor has informed the Department of Occupational Therapy that she has no financial or non-financial interest in any product, instrument, device, service, or material discussed during her presentation.

Instructional Methods

One (1) hour course during which the learner will view a streaming video presentation, reference PowerPoint® slides. To complete course and earn credits, learner must pass a 10-question multiple choice post-test with a score of 70% or higher.

Contributor

Sherrilene Classen

Sherrilene Classen PhD

Professor And Chair