Fitness to drive in palliative care
Factors related to a patient’s illness or treatment may affect their ability to drive. Approach discussions of fitness to drive carefully because inability to drive and the associated loss of independence can be a major concern for patients and can have significant implications. An inability to drive can limit access to healthcare, particularly for patients in rural and remote areas.
Patients with palliative care needs are often concerned about whether they can drive while taking certain drugs (eg opioids). Driving skills should not be significantly affected in patients taking a stable regular dose who are otherwise well; however, in some situations, such as when therapy is started or the dose is increased, driving may be affected. Feeling sedated is a contraindication to driving. Encourage patients to monitor their own reactions to drugs; they should avoid driving or operating machinery until treatment is stable. If a patient has not voluntarily given up driving and there are concerns about the safety of the community or the patient, this needs to be discussed with the patient. Guidelines on assessing fitness to drive, including mandatory reporting and information on drugs and driving, are available from Austroads.