Predicting fitness to drive using the visual recognition slide test (USyd)

Am J Occup Ther. 2008 Mar-Apr;62(2):187-97. doi: 10.5014/ajot.62.2.187.

Abstract

Objective: The authors examined the construct and predictive validity and internal reliability of the Visual Recognition Slide Test developed at the University of Sydney (VRST-USyd).

Method: A historical cohort study using retrospective descriptive analysis of VRST-USyd scores and on-road driving performance for 838 drivers with impairments was conducted.

Results: Rasch analysis provided evidence for the construct validity and internal reliability of the VRST-USyd. Goodness-of-fit statistics for all items were acceptable. The test had high participant and item reliability indexes and separated the participants into four groups with varying levels of skill. Using a cutoff score of 95/164, the sensitivity of the test was 81%, and the specificity was 90%. However, when coupled with clinicians' judgment of participants' awareness of their driving performance during the on-road assessment, this score improved.

Conclusion: There is evidence for reliability and construct and predictive validity of the VRST-USyd. The measurement of awareness requires further research.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Automobile Driving / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Automobiles / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Cognition
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual*
  • Psychological Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vision Tests*