Driving behavior and driving outcomes after acute and critical illness: A systematic review

Adults recovering from hospitalization for acute or critical illnesses often face new or worsening physical and cognitive impairments, which can impact their driving abilities and safety. The purpose of this review is to synthesize evidence on driving behaviors and outcomes in the six months following hospitalization for acute or critical illness to guide patient care, provider recommendations, and future research.

A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases from 1997 to October 20, 2023 with forward and backward searches. Primary empirical research involving vehicle drivers was included. Studies were excluded if they involved fewer than five participants, or if they focused on acute medical conditions with established driving rehabilitation programs. Two reviewers screened abstracts and full texts, resolving discrepancies through discussion.

Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Driving behavior and safety data from these studies were derived from simulators (n = 10), self-reports (n = 8) and administrative/regulatory datasets (n = 1). Simulation studies primarily focused on post-surgical populations, and brake reaction times. Self-report studies highlighted driving suspension, cessation, and perceived safety issues. The heterogeneity of study designs and populations limited formal meta-analyses.

The evidence on driving safety and behavior post-hospitalization is heterogeneous and sparse, with some studies indicating no significant change in collision rates and others showing increased risks. Consequently, clinicians face challenges in recommendations on return to driving. There is a need for robust study designs and naturalistic driving studies to examine the specific impacts of hospitalization on driving safety and to develop evidence-based guidelines to address discharge planning to answer questions of "when should I return to driving?"

PROSPERO identifier CRD42023464876.