https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9702-314X
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Abstract
Decisions related to driving safety and when to cease driving are complex and costly. There is an interest in developing an off-road driving test utilizing neuropsychological tests that could help assess fitness-to-drive. Serial trichotomization has demonstrated potential as it yields 100% sensitivity and specificity in retrospective test samples. The purpose of this study was to test serial trichotomization using four common neuropsychological tests (Trail Making Test Part A and B, Clock Drawing Test, and Modified Mini-Mental State Examination). Test scores from 105 patients who were seen in a memory clinic were abstracted. After applying the model, participants were classified as unfit, fit, or requiring further testing, 38.1%, 25.8%, and 36.1%, respectively. This study provides further evidence that trichotomization can facilitate the assessment of fitness-to-drive.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.
About the Authors
Dr. Stephanie Yamin is an associate professor in the Faculty of Human Sciences at Saint Paul University in Ottawa. She obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ottawa. She works as a clinician, clinical supervisor and researcher. As a clinician and clinical supervisor, she specializes in Older Adults with cognitive impairment. As a researcher, she is interested in cognition and driving. Specifically, she has been interested in the interventions that may help older drivers with cognitive deficits.
Valerie Ranger is a graduate student completing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa. She obtained her M.A. in counseling from Saint University under the supervision of Dr. Stephanie Yamin. Her research focuses on cognition, driving, and aging.
Dr. Frank Knoefel is a physician at the Bruyère Memory Program, Bruyère Continuing Care and Senior Investigator at the Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada. He is also a scientist with the AGE-WELL National Centre of Excellence network. He holds appointments as Associate Professor with the Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa and is an Adjunct Research Professor with the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University. His clinical expertise includes the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of cognitive decline. His current research focus is on the use of technology in caring for older adults, with particular focus on monitoring and supporting cognitive decline. For the last half dozen years, he has been working with colleagues on developing the concept of driving signature for older adults and identifying driving changes over time in the Candrive database of Ottawa drivers.
Dr. Sylvain Gagnon is a full professor in the School of Psychology and Director of the Cognitive Aging and Driving Laboratory. He has a strong background in simulator testing and training with various at-risk populations, including older drivers, drivers with dementia as well as drivers who suffered a traumatic brain injury and is recognized as an expert in his field. He has published over 60 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and has supervised 16 graduate students in psychology. Over the last 10 years, he has collaborated with researchers across Canada, Australia and the United-States on empirical studies on driving and cognitive changes. His approach to driving research is essentially multidisciplinary.
Dr. Arne Stinchcombe is an Assistant Professor in the Master of Applied Gerontology (MAG) program and the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Brock University. He maintains expertise in the psychosocial aspects of health, aging, and older adulthood.
Dr. Michel Bédard is Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at Lakehead University, where he is also a Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, and at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. He is the founding Director of both the Centre for Research on Safe Driving at Lakehead University, and the Centre for Applied Health Research at St. Joseph’s Care Group, a large health care organization providing services in complex care and physical rehabilitation, long-term care, and mental health and addictions. Michel’s main research motivation is to support older adults’ quality of life and independence.