Introduction
Australian guidelines recommend health professionals ask stroke survivors whether they wish to return to driving and provide information about relevant requirements and processes.
Aim: to explore the perspectives of stroke survivors and health professionals regarding the provision of driving-related information post-stroke.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with stroke survivors who received post‑stroke acute or rehabilitation (inpatient or community) care within one Adelaide Local Health Network. Focus groups were conducted with health professionals working in these services. Data were analysed thematically.
Results
Fourteen stroke survivors participated in interviews (n=7[50%] women; median age 69 years; median time post-stroke 4.5months). Twenty‑three health professionals (nurses, medical and allied health staff) participated in focus groups. Four key themes were identified.
Importance of timing: Stroke survivors reported the need to be emotionally ready to receive and absorb driving-related information, with most preferring not to receive this information during acute hospitalisation.
Complexity of providing tailored information: Health professionals described difficulties providing clear and consistent advice due to variability in stroke presentation, particularly for individuals with visual or cognitive changes.
Inconsistent or conflicting information: Survivors reported receiving inconsistent information, especially when transitioning between services. Health professionals described providing conflicting information when survivors were cleared to drive by GPs without cognitive screening or when survivors were admitted to community rehabilitation with previously unreported impairments.
System constraints: Unclear timeframes to access driving-related assessments frustrated survivors and health professionals.
Conclusion
The findings underscore the importance of coordinated, timely and consistent driving-related information provision to better support stroke survivors.