Awareness Tool for Safe and Responsible Driving (OSCAR) : A Potential Educational Intervention for Increasing Interest, Openness and Knowledge About the Abilities Required and Compensatory Strategies Among Older Drivers

Abstract : Objective: This pilot study aimed to verify the impact of the awareness tool for safe and responsible driving (OSCAR) on older adults’ (1) interest, openness, and knowledge about the abilities and compensatory strategies required for safe driving; (2) awareness of changes that have occurred in their own driving abilities; and (3) actual utilization of compensatory strategies. Methods: A preexperimental design, including a pretest (T0) and posttest (T1) 8 to 10 weeks after exposure to the intervention, was used with 48 drivers aged between 67 and 84. The participants had a valid driving license and drove at least once a week. Results: Overall, the results demonstrate that OSCAR increased interest, openness, and knowledge about the abilities and compensatory strategies of older drivers (P < .01). After exposure to OSCAR, the majority of the participants confirmed that changes had occurred in at least one of their abilities. Moreover, half of the older drivers reported having started using 6 or more compensatory strategies. Conclusion: In summary, in addition to increasing older adults’ interest, openness, and knowledge to discussion about driving, OSCAR also improved awareness of the changes that could negatively impact safe driving and enhanced utilization of compensatory strategies. While promoting safe driving and the prevention of crashes and injuries, this intervention could ultimately help older adults maintain or increase their transportation mobility. More studies are needed to further evaluate OSCAR and identify ways to improve its effectiveness

Déploiement d’un service d’urgence gériatrique : étude qualitative sur la perception des intervenants

Afin de répondre aux besoins particuliers d’une proportion de personnes aînées toujours grandissante qui fréquentent les urgences, le CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS a déployé une série d’interventions simples et peu coûteuses d’un service d’urgence gériatrique (SUG). Pour que celles-ci aient les effets escomptés, il est primordial qu’elles soient appliquées et intégrées dans les pratiques des intervenants. Mieux comprendre comment les membres de l’équipe soignante perçoivent ces interventions s’avère dès lors incontournable afin de pouvoir mettre en lumière tant les forces que les défis du modèle de SUG. En adoptant une approche qualitative descriptive, cette étude vise ainsi à documenter l’évolution de l’application des interventions déployées au sein d’un SUG, ainsi que la perception des intervenants en regard de ces interventions dans l’exercice de leurs fonctions