Curriculum

Instructors: Beth Gibson, OTR/L, CDRS and Dan Allison, MS, OT/L, CDRS

Students will be introduced to the foundational concepts of driver rehabilitation therapy, including the roles of different driving, rehabilitation and health care professionals. Terminology related to driver rehabilitation will be discussed in depth, to clearly articulate concepts related to fitness to drive. The course will introduce students to local, national, and international stakeholders in driver rehabilitation while providing students with opportunities to build relationships with key stakeholders for their programs. In addition, students will gain conceptual knowledge for the development of their driver rehabilitation programs and then apply the knowledge to practical projects such as: understanding guidelines for providing driver rehabilitation in their jurisdiction, developing a road course for evaluating their client population, developing a list of features for an equipped driver rehabilitation vehicle and/or driving simulator, constructing a list of reimbursement resources, and making a presentation for stakeholders to promote their driver rehabilitation practices. Students will also apply occupational therapy and driving models to driver rehabilitation case studies. In doing so, students will develop critical thinking skills for practice.

Instructors: Beth Gibson, OTR/L, CDRS and Dan Allison, MS, OT/L, CDRS

This course is designed to advance students’ skills towards becoming evidence-based driver rehabilitation therapists in the areas of screening, assessment, evaluation, and intervention. Students will receive instruction on methods of data collection such as gathering information about a client’s driving history, driving roles, and collateral information, as well as procedures for screening and assessment tools. Through this course students will gain knowledge about appraisal, administration, and interpretation of evidenced-based clinical tools for assessment of vision, visual-cognition, cognition, motor, and sensory abilities as they relate to driving abilities. Students will apply that knowledge to practical projects such as developing their own clinical data collection forms and report templates based on their specific client populations’ characteristics. In addition, students will obtain knowledge about conducting and interpreting behind-the-wheel driving assessments: in-car and simulators. Students will also consider driver rehabilitation interventions to target specific driving skills and abilities. Through case studies, students will hone their clinical skills for problem formulation, goal writing, and report writing to inform health care providers/insurers.

Instructor: Beth Gibson, OTR/L, CDRS

This course will be introduced during an on-line one-hour orientation session, then conducted for the remainder of the semester at the clinical site of the mentor, supplemented with available weekly consultation sessions with the course instructor. The course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply theoretical principles learned in Foundations, Models and Theory (OTH 6150), and evaluation and intervention skills acquired in Screening, Assessment, Evaluation and Intervention (OTH 6153) in a clinical setting. Under the supervision of an experienced (certified) driver rehabilitation specialist (i.e., mentor), students will make fitness to drive decisions and produce assignments consistent with the expectations to be prepared as an entry level driver rehabilitation therapist.

Instructor: Beth Gibson, OTR/L, CDRS

This course is designed to inform students about a variety of practices, policies, procedures and skills in the field of driver rehabilitation therapy. Two-hour lecture/discussions will be led by seasoned driving researchers, driver rehabilitation specialists, a transportation engineer, rehabilitation scientists, an ethicist, and physicians. This course will complement the specific in depth knowledge of the students pertaining to a wide variety of topics, and will also add breadth of knowledge for the entry level driver rehabilitation therapist.

Instructor: Beth Gibson, OTR/L, CDRS

Students will undergo competency training and testing for one week at the University of Florida to hone their skills to be independent entry level driver rehabilitation therapists. These skills will include appraising a client’s clinical, personal, and driving history; selecting and administering evidence-based clinical assessments; conducting an on-road driving assessment or simulated driving assessment. In carrying out aspects of the comprehensive driving evaluation (CDE), students will assess client/vehicle fit; evaluate a “driver” in traffic. In carrying out a simulated driving assessment, students will monitor for simulator sickness and assess driving performance. Students will also devise and implement intervention plans for clients with cognitive, visual, and/or other sensory and motor impairments. Through these activities, students will write CDE reports and vehicle prescriptions to communicate with the appropriate stakeholders that may include physicians, other healthcare professionals, licensing agencies, and vehicle modifiers.