Evaluation of Driver Fitness following a CVA

Many recovering stroke patients wish to gain back some form of their independence. For them, that includes getting back behind the wheel to drive. But that inflates risks. As OTs, we can reduce risk associated with recovering stroke individuals who want to drive by thoroughly assessing their driving capability, helping those who can get back on the road with ease and confidence while also helping stroke patients who are prevented from driving to understand their limitations.

The driving assessment course provides you with training to better assess the driving capability of individuals who are in recovery after having had stroke or any patient who presents with any kind of neuropathology. The course is focused to enable you, the OT, to better understand the current driving legislation and the SASOM guidelines, enhance your ability to make accurate interpretations of the aspects of physical and cognitive testing applied to driving, and also to make comprehensive recommendations for vehicle adjustments where it is necessary.

The driving assessment course is relevant as it is developing fast and has a unique role to play in South Africa. This is because of the amount of people that drive and there ever changing state of ability due to age or incident. This course is open to active Occupational therapists.