• Marian E Betz, Kenneth Scott, Jacqueline Jones, and Carolyn Diguiseppi.
• a Department of Emergency Medicine , University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora , Colorado.
• Traffic Inj Prev. 2016 May 18; 17 (4): 367-73.

AimThe aim of this study was to synthesize published qualitative studies to identify older adults' preferences for communication about driving with health care providers.BackgroundHealth care providers play a key role in addressing driving safety and driving retirement with older adults, but conversations about driving can be difficult. Guides exist for family members and providers, but to date less is known about the types of communication and messages older drivers want from their health care providers.DesignA qualitative metasynthesis of studies published on or before October 10, 2014, in databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) and grey literature was performed.Review MethodsTwenty-two published studies representing 518 older adult drivers met the following inclusion criteria: the study (1) was about driving; (2) involved older drivers; (3) was qualitative (rather than quantitative or mixed methods); and (4) contained information on older drivers' perspectives about communication with health care providers.ResultsWe identified 5 major themes regarding older adults' communication preferences: (1) driving discussions are emotionally charged; (2) context matters; (3) providers are trusted and viewed as authority figures; (4) communication should occur over a period of time rather than suddenly; and (5) older adults desire agency in the decision to stop driving.ConclusionVarious stakeholders involved in older driver safety should consider older drivers' perspectives regarding discussions about driving. Health care providers can respect and empower older drivers-and support their family members-through tactful communication about driving safety and mobility transitions during the life course.

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