Research Article  |   January 2017
Using Serial Trichotomization With Common Cognitive Tests to Screen for Fitness to Drive
Carrie Gibbons; Nathan Smith; Randy Middleton; John Clack; Bruce Weaver; Sacha Dubois; Michel Bédard
Author Affiliations
  • Carrie Gibbons, MPH, is Research Coordinator, Centre for Applied Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
  • Nathan Smith, MPH, is Research Assistant, Centre for Research on Safe Driving, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
  • Randy Middleton, MScOT, is Occupational Therapist, St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
  • John Clack, MScOT, is Occupational Therapist, St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
  • Bruce Weaver, MSc, is Research Associate, Centre for Research on Safe Driving, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, and Assistant Professor, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
  • Sacha Dubois, MPH, is Research Statistician, Centre for Applied Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada; Adjunct Professor, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada; and Assistant Professor, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
  • Michel Bédard, PhD, is Professor, Lakehead University and Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada; Director, Centre for Research on Safe Driving, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada; and Scientific Director, Centre for Applied Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada; mbedard@lakeheadu.ca
Article Information
Community Mobility and Driving / Geriatrics/Productive Aging / Occupation, Participation, and Health
Research Article   |   January 2017
Using Serial Trichotomization With Common Cognitive Tests to Screen for Fitness to Drive
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, January 2017, Vol. 71, 7102260010p1-7102260010p8. doi:10.5014/ajot.2017.019695
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, January 2017, Vol. 71, 7102260010p1-7102260010p8. doi:10.5014/ajot.2017.019695
Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study was to illustrate the use of serial trichotomization with five common tests of cognition to achieve greater precision in screening for fitness to drive.

METHOD. We collected data (using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Motor-Free Visual Perception Test, Clock-Drawing Test, Trail Making Test Part A and B [Trails B], and an on-road driving test) from 83 people referred for a driving evaluation. We identified cutpoints for 100% sensitivity and specificity for each test; the driving test was the gold standard. Using serial trichotomization, we classified drivers as either “Pass,” “Fail,” or “Indeterminate.”

RESULTS. Trails B had the best sensitivity and specificity (66.3% of participants correctly classified). After applying serial trichotomization, we correctly identified the driving test outcome for 78.3% of participants.

CONCLUSION. A screening strategy using serial trichotomization of multiple test results may reduce uncertainty about fitness to drive.