Survey of Driving Evaluation and Rehabilitation Curricula in Occupational Therapy Programs

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE. Our purpose in this study was to examine the preclinical curricular content pertaining to driving evaluation and rehabilitation (DE/R) included in professional entry-level occupational therapy programs. METHOD. An e-mail survey containing questions about the program’s structure and extent of course material related to DE/R in the curriculum was sent to directors of all 144 U.S. accredited professional entry-level occupational therapy programs. RESULTS. Ninety programs responded (62.5% response rate), of which 80 included content related to DE/R in some required courses, and 9 programs offered a required course specifically in DE/R. Approximately 18% of the respondent programs offered electives with DE/R content. CONCLUSION. Of the respondent professional entry-level occupational therapy programs, few offer a required course specifically devoted to DE/R, but almost all programs integrate DE/R content into required coursework, thus satisfying the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education standards related to driver rehabilitation.