HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS British Journal of Psychiatry Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Orr, E. M. Articles by Elworthy, T. S. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Orr, E. M. Articles by Elworthy, T. S. E.

Audit of advice on driving following hospitalisation for an acute psychotic episode

^*NHS West of Scotland, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow G12 0XH, email: Eilidh.Orr{at}aapct.scot.nhs.uk

Timothy S. E. Elworthy, Specialist Registrar

General Adult Psychiatry, NHS Tayside

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

Psychiatrists are expected to follow guidelines in relation to patients’ responsibilities regarding driving. In this study we reviewed advice on driving recorded for patients discharged from hospital following an acute psychotic episode. Guidelines on appropriate advice were then sent to all medical staff looking after in-patients.

RESULTS

The first cycle of the audit included 48 patients. No advice was recorded. The second cycle included 70 patients. Advice was recorded for 8 patients. Six of the sepatients received a standard discharge letter with a prompt for ‘driving advice’.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

In contrast to current guidelines, advice regarding driving is not routinely given to patients with an acute psychotic episode. A standard discharge letter with prompts on driving may improve adherence to guidelines.