Q. Can the patient drive when they go home?
After a significant brain injury, a NSW driver's license will automatically be cancelled by the RTA until driving performance can be reassessed.
A traumatic brain injury increases the likelihood of an epileptic fit. The doctor is, therefore, unable to give medical clearance for the driving assessment for at least 3-6 months from the date of the accident. Vision will also need to be assessed as this may impact on the ability to drive.
The patient will need an assessment to identify whether alterations to the car are needed because of physical problems and whether they are able to cope with the demands of driving a vehicle in all situations. An assessment is performed by an Occupational Therapist specially trained in driver rehabilitation. At the completion of the assessment, recommendations are made about the person's safety and ability to drive.
Q. Why does the patient practise cooking and shopping?
Patients attend the cooking and shopping groups, as well as individual cooking sessions for the assessment of cognitive (ie. thinking) and physical abilities whilst performing a functional task. These activities are used to assess factors including being able t follow a set of written instructions, social behaviour in the community, attention and concentration, fatigue, strength and co-ordination of the arms, memory and problem solving.
Last modified: Thursday, 20 April 2006