Australian Occupational Therapy Driver Assessors’ Opinions on Improving On-Road Driver Assessment Procedures

American Journal of Occupational Therapy - Tập 64 Số 2 - Trang 325-335 - 2010
Marilyn Di Stefano1, W A Macdonald2
1Marilyn Di Stefano, PhD, GradDipErg, CertErg, is Senior Lecturer, School of Occupational Therapy, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia; [email protected]
2Wendy Macdonald, PhD, DipPsych, is Associate Professor and Director, Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia

Tóm tắt

Abstract OBJECTIVE. We collected practitioner opinions to improve the validity and reliability of the on-road driver assessment procedures used in Australia. METHOD. We used focus groups to document the views of experienced occupational therapy driver assessors using a purposive sampling method. RESULTS. Eight focus groups were conducted with 55 clinicians practicing in urban and rural regions. There was strong support for greater standardization of procedures for all tests. For drivers seeking unrestricted (open) licenses, use of standard routes with predetermined assessment points was important where practicable. Where use of a nonstandard route for this purpose was unavoidable, it was important to specify a minimum set of requirements related to route characteristics and assessment items. CONCLUSION. Australian occupational therapy driver assessors support greater standardization of test routes and procedures to improve reliability and validity. However, the extent to which standardization can be achieved is limited by variable road traffic environments where assessments are conducted.

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