Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist CEUs

TOPIC: Clinical Driver Evaluations

10 hours of Continuing Education Units/Credits ONLINE

  • Part 1- Joint Training (5 hours)
  • Part 2- Clinical Training (5 hours)

10 Hour Online Training for only $195   $95 (Until 4/15/24)

Cara Harman OTD, OTR/L (Research Partner)

Driving is a complex task that requires multiple physical and cognitive processes working in unison to perform. Age alone is not a determining factor in a person’s ability to drive safely, but many older drivers can benefit from a comprehensive driving evaluation to identify and address any existing deficits. Unfortunately, there are several barriers that limit the availability of these beneficial evaluations to the growing population of older adults.

The CODE-CCDE program model uses a unique collaborative approach to the delivery of driver services that falls within the spectrum of driver services. The spectrum of driver services was a collaborative effort by The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists and AOTA to define the language and models used in driving programs.  The cornerstone of this approach is ongoing training and support of participating providers (occupational or physical therapists) to ensure clinical driving evaluations are superior, rigorous, and follow established best practice guidelines.

Trained therapists in the CODE-CCDE program should be able to:

  • Apply knowledge of medical conditions with implications to driving
  • Assess the cognitive, visual, perceptual, behavioral and physical limitations that may impact driving performance
  • Integrate the clinical findings with assessment of on-road performance
  • Synthesize client and caregiver needs and assist in decisions about available options
  • Coordinate with multidisciplinary providers to provide resources related to the needs of clients.

10 Hour CEU Overview and Objectives

Click to expand the lists below:

Part 1- Joint Training - Overview and Objectives (5 hours)

BY THE END OF EACH SECTION/MODULE, THE PARTICIPANT WILL UNDERSTAND:

Module 101. Identifying the problem and solution

  • The changing demographic landscape and how age-related changes impact driving performance
  • Barriers impacting driver rehabilitation professionals and the needs to address older driver safety
  • The components of the Certified Older Driver Evaluation (CODE) and how the program addresses the older driver issue
  • How the CCDE program differs from CODE and be knowledgeable in its areas of focus

Module 102. Program overview 

  • What and who the CODE partner network consists of and be knowledgeable in each of their roles in addressing the older driver problem
  • Match a client to the corresponding tier level based on their level of function and unique adaptive equipment needs
  • All 7 steps of the evaluation process that coincides with the established best practice standards for the delivery of driver services through ADED

Module 103. Software overview 

  • The unique roles and responsibilities of the referring partners, director, managing partners, and associate partners in the CODE- CCDE process
  • The use of and the benefits the CODE software questionnaires provide towards assessing a client’s overall driving fitness

Module 104. Legal Implications 

  • The relevant state licensing and reporting laws for the participant’s practicing state
  • A general overview of the license revocation, guardianship, and power of attorney processes and their role in the CODE-CCDE program

Module 105. Mental health 

  • Various psychiatric disorders and how they may affect interactions with other individuals and negatively impact a person’s ability to drive

Module 106. Physical health 

  • Common age-related physical changes and their impact on driving performance
  • Age related vision changes and common compensatory strategies used with driving restrictions
  • Common vision disorders and how they can affect driving safety
  • The relationship between falls and MVC risk

Module 107. Neurological disorders 

  • The types and impact of various neurological disorders on driving safety
  • Causes of a CVA and the wide range of possible associated functional impairments
  • Signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and their effect on driving performance
  • Common driving characteristics and errors performed by individuals with a dementia diagnosis

Module 108. Behavioral health 

  • Behavioral health disorders and common behavioral factors that can affect driving performance and safety
  • The effects of commonly used mind-altering substances on driving safety
  • The link between prescription medications and the risk of a car accident

Module 109. Social considerations 

  • The importance of family/social support and their role in the driving evaluation process
  • Frequent factors or causes involved in older adults giving up driving, and useful tips for counseling these individuals

Module 110. Future considerations 

  • Diagnoses or scenarios requiring periodic reassessment for a driving evaluation
  • The importance of the clinical teams’ support of individuals after driving cessation is recommended
  • The impact of driving cessation on individuals’ health and quality of life

Part 2- Clinical Training - Overview and Objectives (5 hours)

BY THE END OF EACH SECTION/MODULE, THE PARTICIPANT WILL UNDERSTAND:


Module 200. Driving evaluation introduction 

  • Framework for examining factors that can influence a person’s driving performance
  • Individual steps involved in driving to provide a reference throughout evaluation process
  • Various components involved in clinical driving evaluation
  • How to introduce driving evaluation process to clients


Module 201. Client intake and document overview 

  • Client intake, document review process using CODE-CCDE software
  • Important driving information that should be considered during documentation review, client interview
  • Common medical conditions and their potential affects on driving performance
  • Medication review process and common medications that can impact driving performance


Module 202. Visual function and driving  

  • Visual requirements necessary for safe vs legal driving
  • Components associated with visual system, usage while driving
  • Evaluating visual functions essential for safe driving using common assessment tools
  • Scoring, interpreting visual assessments to determine if deficits exist
  • Common visual deficits, implications on driving


Module 203. Physical function and driving  

    • Physical components necessary for various driving tasks
    • How to perform, interpret assessments of specific physical functions to determine if deficits exist
    • How physical deficits can impact driving performance
    • Impact of pain, fatigue, endurance on driving performance


Module 204. Cognitive function and driving  

    • Role of various cognitive functions necessary for safe driving performance
    • Common cognitive assessment tools utilized in driving evaluations, factors to consider before administering test
    • How to properly perform, score, interpret cognitive assessment tools to determine if deficits exist
    • How cognitive deficits can impact safe driving performance


Module 205. Mental and behavioral health considerations

    • Role of mental, behavioral health on driving performance
    • How to assess clients with mental/behavioral health disorders
    • Common developmental disorders, impact on driving performance


Module 206. Problem list and final steps  

    • Role of problem list related to evaluation, how to formulate it throughout evaluation
    • Clinical reasoning process used to interpret problem list, make appropriate recommendations related to driving
    • Referral, re-assessment considerations
    • Process of completing clinical evaluation in CODE-CCDE software, preparing client for BTW assessment
    • Resources for clients, their families on alternative transportation options

 


Testimonials

This course is well worth the money. I’m genuinely impressed by the depth of knowledge it offers, which I believe will greatly enhance my capabilities in my occupational therapy career. I now feel confident and well-prepared to perform these assessments and educate my patients on the meaningful occupation of driving. Without hesitation, I highly recommend this course to fellow clinicians all over the country.Jordan Hawk OTR/L
Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation
Georgia
I found taking the CODE/CCDE course very rewarding. Not only did it refresh my knowledge of all the various facets of driving , but it also equipped me with invaluable knowledge to provide a thorough evaluation. Thanks to the course, I feel more confident administering the exam and interpreting their findings. The instructor’s teaching style was highly interactive and enjoyable. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to become certified in conducting driving evaluations. There is a significant need for these evaluations so individuals can be confident in their driving skills when they get behind the wheel, keeping our community safe.Kendall G. Hales, MPT, ScD, COMT, ISDN
Outpatient Rehabilitation
Louisiana
This course exceeded my expectations! By following along with the self paced webinars I was able to immediately integrate this information into my practice. After completing this certification course I feel more empowered to arm my patients with the education and training required to participate in the meaningful occupation of driving.Amanda Garcia OTR/L
Inpatient Rehabilitation
Georgia
Driving is such a huge part of our daily occupations – but when it comes to supporting clients in that area, I never felt fully confident in my abilities to help with that process. This course really opened my eyes to not only the need for more therapists to fill a missing role, but also how to do that with evidence-based assessment tools. After finishing the course I started to look into driving rehabilitation programs across my state and it was a really limited list that clustered mostly around the bigger cities. Within the course, I really appreciated the comprehensive, holistic, and strength-based approach to driving. The material was engaging, mixing in real-life case studies and examples. These were especially helpful to connect the information and understand what this process looks like in the clinic setting. They did a great job presenting the research behind the information throughout the training as well. While I’ve used some of the assessments presented in the course- I never realized how much I was missing with being able to really connect it to driving abilities (the WHY and the HOW!). Not only did I feel like this course increased my confidence and understanding for how to best support my patients- but the carryover I’m able to apply to my everyday life was also such a valuable piece. Between having a better understanding of current drivers, supporting friends and family, and knowing the tools and resources available I know this knowledge is something that will help in my professional as well as personal life. Highly recommend this course!Katie Jones OTD, OTR/L
Inpatient Rehabilitation and Pediatrics
North Carolina
My knowledge in the area of driver rehabilitation was limited prior to this course; I now appreciate an understanding of the CODE-CCDE programs. This course’s comprehensive review of client factors which impact driving performance was very helpful in establishing a foundation for clinical driver evaluation development. The case study examples were particularly helpful for carryover to clinical practice. I have a much improved grasp of the clinical driver evaluation processes after completion of this course.Logan Martin OTD, OTR/L
Inpatient Rehabilitation
Richmond VA Medical Center