CDME Module 7: Psychological-ME Handbook

Pdf Summary

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released a Medical Examiner Handbook for medical examiners who perform commercial driver medical examinations. The handbook covers topics such as FMCSA's mission, guidelines for conducting examinations, and evaluating drivers' physical fitness. It also emphasizes the importance of medical certification and provides regulations and standards to follow. The handbook addresses stress factors, physical demands of the job, and the role of the Office of Analysis, Research, and Technology. The maximum certification period for drivers with corrective lenses or hearing aids is 2 years. Guidelines for evaluating cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, and other medical conditions are also provided. The handbook emphasizes the need to assess driver fitness and manage conditions properly. The Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) program allows drivers with extremity deficits to be certified to operate a commercial vehicle. It is the responsibility of medical examiners to determine if the driver meets the qualifications for an SPE certificate. The certificate is valid for a specified period and must be renewed. The document also provides guidelines for certifying drivers with diabetes mellitus and other medical conditions, as well as cardiovascular conditions, hernias, nephropathy, and psychological disorders. The guidelines emphasize ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

Asset Caption

Pages 185 – 201 (to end of psychological disorders)

Keywords

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Medical Examiner Handbook

commercial driver medical examinations

FMCSA's mission

guidelines for conducting examinations

evaluating drivers' physical fitness

medical certification

stress factors

physical demands of the job

driver fitness assessment