Broad-Spectrum Clinical Applications of a Low-Fidelity Simulator: Emphasis on Functional Impairment

The recently published 7th edition of the Canadian Medical Association’s guide “Determining Medical Fitness to Operate Motor Vehicles” places an increased emphasis on functional assessment rather than exclusively on a diagnostic categorization in determining license eligibility of Canadian drivers. While there is currently significant interest in research and development of simulation scenarios suitable to screen for specific medical impairments, the author's research group at University of Toronto has expanded the utility of a single low-cost low-fidelity interactive driving simulation paradigm to screen for functional impairments related to fitness-to-drive in a wide number of clinical conditions. The long-term objective of this project is to be able to use this simulation protocol beyond a research model in fitness-to-drive assessments performed in a routine clinical context.