The American Medical Association (A...

The American Medical Association (AMA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lately released a new comprehensive guide to assist physicians in keeping their older patients driving safely. The 226-page guide, "Physician's Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers," includes an office-based assessment of functional abilities related to driving; a relation table of medical conditions and medications that may impair driving, and driving safety recommendations specific to each one; recommendations for counseling patients in succession retiring from driving; a state-by-state list of driver license requirements; educational handouts for patients and troubleed family members; and a discussion of the legal and ethical issues forward the management of unsafe drivers. According to the NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in individuals 65 to 74 years of age. Based forward estimated annual travel, the fatality rate for drivers who are at least 85 years of age is nine times higher than the rate for drivers who are 25 to 69 years of age. disposes contributing to the project include the AARP, the Epilepsy Foundation, the National hardship Association, the AAFP, the Federal Highway Administration, and the American Geriatrics Society. The guide is available online at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/10791.html.

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group