Research outputs per year
Research outputs per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr Beth Cheal is a researcher and lecturer in Occupational Therapy. She holds a PhD, Master of Applied Science (OT) and Bachelor of Applied Science (OT) from the University of Sydney. Beth's doctoral research focused on converting DriveSafe DriveAware (DSDA), a cognitive fitness-to-drive screen, into a touchscreen test for physicians, occupational therapists and other health professionals to use when making high-stakes decisions about fitness to drive for drivers with injuries, medical conditions, and age-related changes.
Beth has over two decades of experience as an occupational therapy driving assessor and licensed driving instructor. She has coordinated training for health professionals and driving instructors in this specialised area since 2006, shaping industry standards and enhancing clinical practice. Beth is a member of the Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) National Driving Taskforce and Co-convenor of the OTA Driving Interest Group.
Beth's research interests include:
- Assessment tool design and evaluation
- Rasch analysis
- Driver assessment and rehabilitation
- Cognitive assessment
- Falls prevention for older adults
Related links
Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy
Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therap
External positions
Driving Interest Group Co-convenor
27 Nov 2025 → …
Director, DriveSafe Diagnostics
18 Apr 2023 → …
National Driving Taskforce Member, Occupational Therapy Australia
31 May 2021 → …
Director, Institute of Driver Health
30 Sept 2012 → 31 Mar 2026
Research keywords
- Automobile Driving
- Standardised Assessment Development
- Falls Prevention
- In-vehicle technology
- Psychometrics
- Cognitive Assessment
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Medical conditions affecting physical capabilities and adverse driving outcomes: an evidence and gap map
O'Donnell, J. M., Xu, W., Shu, C. C., Issa, M. R., Cheal, B. & Brown, J., Sept 2025, In: Journal of Safety Research. 94, p. 415-424 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile36 Downloads (Pure) -
Performance analysis of driving ability (P-Drive) : investigating construct validity and concordance of Australasian data
Cheal, B., Bundy, A. & Patomella, A.-H., Jan 2025, In: OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health. 45, 1, p. 95-104 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access3 Citations (Scopus) -
Driving and impulsivity
Cheal, B. & Coxon, K., 1 Jan 2023, The Psychology and Neuroscience of Impulsivity. Richard, Y. & Moustafa, A. (eds.). U.K.: Academic Press, p. 263-276 14 p.Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Chapter
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Predicting fitness to drive for medically at-risk drivers using touchscreen DriveSafe DriveAware
Cheal, B., Bundy, A., Patomella, A.-H., Kuang, H. & Newton Scanlan, J., Jan 2023, In: American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 77, 1, 10 p., 7701205030.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2 Citations (Scopus) -
Converting the DriveSafe subtest of DriveSafe DriveAware for touchscreen administration
Cheal, B., Bundy, A., Patomella, A.-H., Newton Scanlan, J. & Wilson, C., 2019, In: Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. 66, 3, p. 326-336 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
3 Citations (Scopus)
Activities
- 1 Organisation
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Occupational Therapy Australia (External organisation)
Cheal, B. (Other)
31 May 2018 → …Activity: Membership › Organisation