J Korean Epilepsy Soc.
2001 Jun;5(1):70-74.
Epilepsy and Driving
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea. kimjuhan@hanyang.ac.kr
- 2Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womens University, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Although the law to restrict the automobile driving of epilepsy patients is existed in Korea, it is not clear. We investigated the opinions of doctors who treat the epilepsy patients on this matter.
METHODS
296 doctors, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, and pediatricians, participated in this survey. The questionnaire was composed of 15 questions.
RESULTS
Their opinions are as follows : the regulation should be legislated (95.3%), the decision on the patient's driving must be done by the doctor (79.1%), the patient's driving is reported obligatorily (34.1%), the seizure free interval for license should be more than 24 months (61.1%), the renewal of the driving license needs to be done every other year, the escaping rebuke for the reporter is also needed (89.5%), and the draft for the law should be composed by the Korean Epilepsy Society (77%).
CONCLUSIONS
Many doctors who treat the epilepsy patients agree that the new law to restrict the epilepsy patient's automobile driving is needed. The new law including general and individual restrictions, considering several conditions and made by Korean Epilepsy Society must be accepted by the patients and other members of the society.
