A questionnaire based study to evaluate the necessity to drive and perceived driving ability of a rheumatoid arthritis population

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A questionnaire based study to evaluate the necessity to drive and perceived driving ability of a rheumatoid arthritis population

Stobbs, D. / Oliver, S. / Daymond, T. / Paton, A.S. / Fraser, S.

The role of an occupational therapist is to assess and treat patients with a handicap due to disability, ensuring the patient is able to live independently in the community. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) principally affects people in the fourth and fifth decades of life, with an increased incidence in the female population. The active lifestyles of family life are seiously compromised with the diminished activity of the person with RA. A level of independence can be obtained through the use of a motor vehicle providing transportation, assuming the person with reduced strength and range of motion is able to control the vehicle. This paper identifies the perceived driving capabilities and limitations of 10 RA patients from Sunderland, England, addressing problems such as functional tasks within the driver cabin and the benefit a vehicle brings to the daily activities of such patients through a self-administered open-ended questionnaire. Each subject was recruited prior to a quantitative physical assessment of driver ability. The questionnaire was based on two areas: the reasons for driving, and the ergonomics of the driver cabin. Such data is useful when addressing the design implications of driving and disability and the cost/benefit of a vehicle to the disabled population.