Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
11:12
Driving Simulation in the Clinic: Testing Visual Exploratory Behavior in Daily Life Activities in Patients with Visual Field Defects
Published on: September 18, 2012
Clinical decision making: doctor, when can I drive?
1Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Genesys Regional Medical Center, Grand Blanc, Michigan, USA. jcooper@bonejoint.net
American Journal of Orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.)
|April 5, 2007
Summary
Orthopedic surgeons lack evidence for determining patient fitness to drive after surgery. This review synthesizes literature to aid informed decisions on return-to-driving timelines for orthopedic patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Traffic Safety
Background:
- Limited evidence-based literature exists for orthopedic surgeons regarding patient driving fitness post-surgery.
- Current guidance relies on empirical data from soft-tissue and bone healing studies.
- Determining a patient's readiness to drive after orthopedic procedures is a common clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize existing research on orthopedic surgery and driving.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for orthopedic surgeons on return-to-driving decisions.
- To identify gaps in the literature for future research on orthopedic fitness to drive.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed and Medline databases using keywords 'surgery' and 'driving'.
- Inclusion of English-language research published from 1960 to the present.
- Screening of 975 studies, with 35 selected for orthopedic relevance, including studies on extremities.
Main Results:
- A review of 35 relevant orthopedic studies was conducted.
- Recommendations for return to driving after orthopedic procedures were formulated.
- The findings aim to support informed clinical decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Orthopedic surgeons can utilize this review to aid in patient return-to-driving assessments.
- Further evidence-based research is needed to establish definitive guidelines for orthopedic fitness to drive.
- This synthesis provides a foundation for informed decision-making and future investigations.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Decision Making
Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
01:30Ethical Dilemmas II
Resolving an ethical dilemma in healthcare involves a systematic approach that considers every aspect of the issue, respecting both the patient's needs and values and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations. Here are potential steps to resolve an ethical dilemma:
01:25Critical Thinking II
Critical thinking is a cognitive process with several attributes. The attributes of critical thinking include the following:
01:14Decision Making: Traditional Method
The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
01:37Reason and Intuition
The human brain processes information for decision-making using one of two routes: an intuitive system and a rational system (Epstein, 1994; popularized by Kahneman, 2011 as System 1 and System 2, respectively). The intuitive system is quick, impulsive, and operates with minimal effort, relying on emotions or habits to provide cues for what to do next, while the rational system is logical, analytical, deliberate, and methodical. Research in neuropsychology suggests that the brain can only use...
01:09Decision Making: P-value Method
The process of hypothesis testing based on the P-value method includes calculating the P- value using the sample data and interpreting it.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can have a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can have a...