Course Description
POTH-673 Screening for the at Risk Driver
3 Credits
Online
Screening for the at Risk Driver is targeted to any health care professional (occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist, nurse, physician or any other professional working in the public or private health sector) interested in pursuing specialized training with respect to driving issues. This course will foster the development of strategies enabling the clinician to screen for potential impediments to motor vehicle driving ability. Specifically, students will analyze the basic requirements needed in order to drive a vehicle safely. Fundamental theoretical models of driving behavior will also be introduced, as well as regulatory and legal aspects of licensure.
POTH-674 Assessing Driving Ability
3 Credits
Online
Prerequisite: POTH-673 - Screening for the at Risk Driver
Assessing Driving Ability is designed for occupational therapists working with clients presenting one or more disabilities. The clinician will develop the skills necessary to conduct a thorough driving assessment and to identify drivers requiring the implementation of adaptive equipment. Evaluation tools recognized in the field will be analyzed and current research pertaining to driving evaluation will be emphasized. Evaluation techniques and methods targeted to specific cohorts or populations (eg: the elderly, the traumatic brain injured, the new driver…) will also be examined.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be familiar with a complete driving assessment protocol, including the importance of on-road testing and the implementation of simple adaptive equipment such as hand controls, left-foot accelerators, prehension aids, and turn signal extensions.
POTH-675 Driving Assessment Practicum
3 Credits
Online plus a 5-day clinical practicum
Prerequisite: POTH-673 and POTH-674
Targeted to occupational therapists, Driving Assessment Practicum is a sequel to POTH-674 Assessing Driving Ability. It seeks to integrate acquired knowledge into clinical practice. Through formal clinical training at the Constance-Lethbridge Rehabilitation Centre or another rehabilitation centre (if accredited) students will master skills in the assessment of driving abilities and the prescription of basic adaptive driving equipment. Hands-on experience will familiarize students with simple technical aids and current evaluation tools. Students will be encouraged to incorporate evidence-based knowledge into their clinical practice. Although some theoretical material will be given online, the core content of this course is an intense clinical practicum. This allows students to obtain clinical experience in a supervised environment, thus fostering the consolidation of theoretical knowledge.
Please note: Students must achieve a passing grade in both theoretical and practical evaluation components as well as in the overall course in order to receive a passing grade for the course. If the total mark is a pass but one component is a failure, the course mark is withheld from the record. The student must undertake remedial work in that failed component and pass the additional evaluation. The original final course mark is then recorded.
POTH-676 Adaptive Equipment and Driving
3 Credits
Online plus a 4-day clinical practicum
Prerequisite: POTH-675 or permission of instructor
Targeted to occupational therapists, this course will further the clinician's ability to choose appropriate technical aids for the more challenging client. Students will be introduced to the latest developments in advanced adaptive equipment and will learn which vehicule and which adaptations are best suited to a particular client's needs. The student will learn the reasoning required to identify the appropriate adaptive equipment and/or modification. The theoretical component of this course will be given online. The clinical practicum will be held at the Constance-Lethbridge Rehabilitation Centre or another rehabilitation centre (if accredited).
POTH-677 Retraining Driving Skills
3 Credits
Online plus a 2-day clinical practicum
Prerequisite: POTH-675 or permission of instructor
Retraining Driving Skills targets occupational therapists already proficient in the assessment of driving ability and skilled in the use of adapted vehicles. The driver retraining process is of prime importance and is considered an integral part of a driving rehabilitation program. Several retraining methods will be analyzed, including driving simulators, visual training, on-road training, and compensatory techniques. Training with adaptive equipment will also be introduced and students will benefit from hands-on experience behind the wheel. As in POTH-675 (Driving Assessment Practicum) and POTH-677 (Adaptive Equipment and Driving) the online theoretical component of the course will be followed by a clinical practicum at the Constance-Lethbridge Rehabilitation Centre or another rehabilitation centre (if accredited). Students will be supervised by both an experienced clinician and a driving monitor specialized in training drivers with special needs.
Calendar
| Fall | POTH-673 Screening for the At Risk Driver POTH-676 Adaptive Equipment and Driving |
| Winter | POTH-674 Assessing Driving Ability POTH-677 Retraining Driving Skills |
| Summer | POTH-675 Driving Assessment Practicum |
A minimum of ten enrollments is required in order to activate a course. Failing this, the student must register for the course the next time it is offered.
The maximum number of enrollments is 25.
It is possible to register as a special student and take POTH-673 Screening for at Risk Drivers, POTH-676 Adaptive Equipment and Driving, and POTH-677 Retraining Driving Skills with permission of the instructor.
Duration of Courses and Workshops
A 3-credit graduate elective corresponds to 117 hours of work throughout the term.
POTH-675 Driving Assessment Practicum includes a 5-day clinical practicum. POTH-676 Adaptive Equipment and Driving and POTH-677 Retraining Driving Skills include a 4 and 2-day clinical practicum, respectively.
