Question: I am an outpatient OT. Often my patients are seen by inpatient OT & acute rehab OT before they get to me .... not to mention all the doctors & other therapists they see. It always surprises me when I am the FIRST one to tell someone they should not currently driving. Today I evaluated a gentleman post-stroke with left side impairment. He's got a ways to go and we are feeling optimistic, but we were both shocked when I was the first one to bring up the topic of driving. I asked him to hold off on driving for now until we can regain more function of his left arm and his vision (also impacted) more formally assessed/addressed. It just blows my mine. When do you think OT should start talking about driving? At what level of care or stage of recovery? 

The OT Generalist is skilled in assessing driving risk. If you are an OT in the clinic, completing tests & measures to help consider driving, you should NOT be calling this a driving evaluation. A driving evaluation is completed by the OT DRS/CDRS. It requires advanced education & hands-on training, knowledge of in-car driving performance, specialized equipment, and specialized liability coverage. If you are an OT in the clinic ONLY completing clinic-based tests, you are performing a DRIVING RISK ASSESSMENT. This is an evolving area. It is important we stop, take a look at our programs and make sure we are labeling them correctly. 

Question: Where can I go to be inspired as an OT?

Answer: https://youtu.be/ImoY6DSmQRs