Effects of Psychoactive Chemicals on Commercial Driver Health and Performance: Stimulants, Hypnotics, Nutritional, and Other Supplements (2011) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 50-61
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From page 51... ...
Twenty-three examiners were surveyed at two educational meetings of practicing occupational medicine specialists in two locations: 8 in Reno, Nevada, and 15 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Of the 16 forms distributed on September 11, 2008, to a Salt Lake City group of occupational medicine clinic providers, 15 were completed and returned.
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From page 52... ...
Because of the small number of respondents, one cannot infer that the responses of those surveyed are representative of the opinions of all medical examiners of commercial drivers. That is particularly relevant in view of the coming requirement that examiners must be qualified by examination and registered to perform medical certification examinations for drivers.
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From page 53... ...
Survey Results (Pain Medications) Methadone Commercial drivers are prohibited from driving while taking methadone, and medical certification for commercial driving is also not permitted [391.41(b)
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From page 54... ...
Regional differences appeared with respect to permitting drivers to be certified when taking methadone: most of the Reno group of providers reported they would issue conditional certificates to drivers, whereas in the Salt Lake City group only 3 of 15 medical examiners would permit conditional certification for drivers who admit to methadone use. Other Opiate/Pain Medications (not methadone)
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From page 55... ...
For SSRI-type antidepressants, 14 of 23 surveyed medical examiners would qualify drivers with additional history in clinic; only 2 of 23 indicated that they would require a written statement from the provider who prescribed the driver's antidepressant. In the surveyed group, no examiners indicated they would "Never" qualify a driver who admitted taking any of the medications queried.
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From page 56... ...
In the group surveyed, examiners indicated they would conditionally certify, and not automatically qualify or disqualify, drivers who admitted taking these medications. This was consistent between both groups of examiners (Salt Lake City and Reno)
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From page 57... ...
____ yes, most of the time _____ no, not usually Percent of Medical Examiners Reporting Employers Require the DOT "Long Form" from them after Medical Examination of Commercial Drivers Salt Lake Reno Combined Long Form 10/15 2/8 12/23 Required Long Form 5/15 6/8 11/23 Not Required Summary of employers requiring DOT Long Form.
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From page 58... ...
Percent of Medical Examiners Reporting Company Official Interaction Regarding Specific Drivers Salt Lake Reno Combined Employer 9/15 1/8 10/23 Interaction No Employer 5/15 7/8 12/23 Interaction Q: Do you interact with company officials regarding specific patients (drivers)
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From page 59... ...
This appears to vary by region. • Medical examiners' interactions with employers without specific release of information were reported in about half of the Salt Lake City group, and by none of the Reno group.
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From page 60... ...
Observations Made from Survey Results One of the more significant limitations on the process of medical examiners performing evaluations of commercial drivers (CDME) includes the completeness, or incompleteness, of driver self-reporting of their medications to the medical examiner.
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From page 61... ...
Such inconsistencies were found between the two regions surveyed and among providers in both regions. Only 2 of the 23 examiners indicated that they gave any advice to commercial drivers on maintaining alertness or combating fatigue.
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