Reporting by physicians of impaired drivers and potentially impaired drivers

Physicians routinely care for patients whose ability to operate a motor veh icle is compromised by a physical or cognitive condition. Physician managem ent of this health information has ethical and legal implications. These co ncerns have been insufficiently addressed by professional organizations and public agencies. The legal status in the United States and Canada of repor ting of impaired drivers is reviewed. The American Medical Association's po sition is detailed. Finally, the Bioethics Committee of the Medical Society of the State of New York proposes elements for an ethically defensible pub lic response to this problem.