This project is based on the recognition that many factors deter health care providers from discussing driving with their older patients, including concerns about the care provider/care recipient relationship, time constraints, and lack of knowledge and resources to support older drivers. The purpose of the project is to survey Michigan vision care providers as a means to better understand the concerns, attitudes, and needs associated with assessing driving in older patients. The results of this survey will be used to: (1) inform vision care providers of the current Michigan attitudes and practices regarding assessment of their older patient’s driving status; (2) design a more comprehensive survey of the broader health care provider community who deals with older drivers; and (3) ultimately develop assessment tools and intervention aids that will enable health care providers to more effectively address the needs of older drivers. Desired outcomes include a more effective care provider/care recipient interaction that will lead to safer driving, reductions in crashes and associated morbidity and mortality, and therefore reduced costs to the health care and insurance systems.

Principal Investigators: Nancy K. Janz (U-M School of Public Health) and David C. Musch (Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center)
Co-Investigators: Brenda W. Gillespie (Center for Statistical Consultation and Research) and Ralph P. Crew (Crew Eye Center)