RT Journal Article
T1 Prevention of road crashes in older adults: perspectives on facilitators, barriers and the role of the family doctor
A1 Rivera-Izquierdo, Mario
A1 Valverde-Cano, Luz María
A1 Martínez-Ruiz, Virginia
A1 Sánchez-Pérez, María Rosa
A1 Atienza-Martín, Francisco Javier
A1 Martín-delosReyes, Luis Miguel
A1 Jiménez-Mejías, Eladio
K1 Road safety
K1 Older drivers
K1 Family doctor
K1 Focus group
K1 Qualitative research
K1 Seguridad vial
K1 Grupos focales
K1 Investigación cualitativa
K1 Accidentes de tránsito
K1 Médico de familia
AB BackgroundPeople over 64 years have a high fatality rate when they are involved in traffic accidents. Besides, older victims of road crashes are expected to rise in the future due to population aging. The purpose of the study was to document their perception on the role of the family doctor, the main facilitating factors, and the perceived barriers to the temporary or permanent restriction of their driving.MethodsThis qualitative study used focus group methodology. A sample of 16 people over 65 years old was obtained through a series of segmentation criteria at an active participation centre for older adults in a small town in Jaén province (Spain). All were invited to participate in a discussion during which they were asked to express their opinions and subjective experiences concerning the role of their family doctor. The group conversation was taped, fully transcribed and analysed, and codes were generated with both deductive and inductive methods.ResultsAfter merging the codes to generate themes, we identified 9 relevant categories: perception of age-related risk, road safety, role of public authorities, driver assessment centre, role of the family doctor, role of the family, proposals for addressing traffic accidents in older adults, consequences of the driving prohibition, and public transport. All categories help to explain the subjective driving and traffic safety experiences of older road users.ConclusionsAlthough family doctors do not usually ask their older patients about road driving, they are highly valued by these patients. Thus, family doctors have a great potential to act, along with the family members, for the benefit of older patients’ traffic safety, in ways that can prevent their involvement in road crashes and reduce the negative consequences of having to stop driving if necessary.
PB BMC, Springer Nature
YR 2021
FD 2021-11-06
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4101
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4101
LA en
NO Rivera-Izquierdo M, Valverde-Cano LM, Martínez-Ruiz V, Sánchez-Pérez MR, Atienza-Martín FJ, Martín-delosReyes LM, et al. Prevention of road crashes in older adults: perspectives on facilitators, barriers and the role of the family doctor. BMC Geriatr. 2021 Nov 6;21(1):635.
DS RISalud
RD Apr 5, 2025