Diabetes and driving recommendations among healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives:To assess healthcare providers’ knowledge and awareness of the recommendations for drivers with insulin-treated diabetes in Saudi Arabia.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare providers working at 4 tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between April 2016 and December 2016 using a self-administered questionnaire.Results:A total of 285 healthcare providers completed the survey (response rate 88.5%). Most (70.2%) were aware of the safe driving recommendations for patients with insulin-treated diabetes. However, the need to check blood glucose levels before driving was underestimated by almost one-third (30.2%). Only one-quarter (24.6%) identified the correct level of blood glucose level that is safe for a patient when driving, and 28.4% identified the recommended time for checking blood glucose before driving. Participants who were aware of the recommendations for safe driving had a significantly higher average knowledge score (68.8%) than those who were not aware (58.8%; p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the average knowledge score among medical specialties (p=0.002) and job levels (p<0.001).Conclusions:Most healthcare providers identified the importance of evaluating their patients for ability to drive safely, but we found some important areas of knowledge deficit. Professional intervention to improve healthcare providers’ awareness and knowledge regarding diabetes and driving is the first step in improving detection and reporting high-risk drivers with diabetes to prevent future driving mishaps.

A Practical Approach to the Initiation, Titration and Intensification of Insulin Therapy in Adults with Diabetes in the Indian Context: Recommendations by Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Consensus Group

“…To maintain adequate calorie intake, drinking more calorie-free liquids, semi-solid meals, and beverages, such as thin soups, milk, buttermilk, or fresh lime juice, should be encouraged [ The ability to drive safely in people with diabetes may be hampered by its symptoms or consequences, which can affect driving fitness in a variety of ways, including but not limited to hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, vision impairment, peripheral neuropathy, and other diabetes problems. Furthermore, driving necessitates a high metabolic demand, which may lead to hypoglycemia episodes in individuals with diabetes which might result in driving errors and road traffic accidents [84]. Hence, precautions ought to be taken to protect themselves, co-passengers, and other road users.…”