Nov 1, 2023

American Epilepsy Society Awarded Grant to Improve Diagnostic Excellence by The Council of Medical Specialty Societies

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Press Release

­­FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

CHICAGO, IL ― The American Epilepsy Society (AES) is proud to announce that it’s project, Improving Clinician Competence in Use and Interpretation of EEG: A Matter of Safety, Quality, and Equity, has been selected as the recipient of a Promoting Diagnostic Excellence grant from the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) and is one of 11 $100,000 awards made by CMSS under this grant program in 2023.

The funding from this grant will allow AES to expand its focus on education aimed at advancing the diagnostic skills of health care providers (HCPs), both inside neurology and outside, who care for people with epilepsy. The project’s strategy focuses on strengthening a multi-faceted online learning program that is accessible to HCPs who utilize electroencephalogram testing (EEG) as a diagnostic tool in the treatment of patients with epilepsy.

In addition, the AES project will include patient-facing education explaining the role of EEG in their diagnosis.

“This generous grant gives AES the opportunity to enhance and expand an effective program that helps fill a recognized gap in diagnostic training for HCPs as well as empower patients with a better understanding of the role EEG use can play in obtaining their accurate diagnosis,” said Eileen M. Murray, MM, CAE, CEO of AES.

This competitive grant program, which is funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation with additional funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, supports a diverse array of projects to support the development and dissemination of resources and programs aimed at improving the timeliness, accuracy, safety, efficiency, patient-centeredness, and equity of diagnostic outcomes for patients.

“With the generous support of our funders, 20 specialties are actively engaging their members in diagnostic excellence,” said Helen Burstin, MD, MPH, MACP, CEO of the Council of Medical Specialty Societies. “The legacy of the CMSS grant program will be greater awareness, attention, and action to prevent avoidable diagnostic harm across medicine.” 


 

The Council of Medical Specialty Societies is the national organization of specialty societies representing more than 800,000 physicians across the house of medicine. CMSS works to catalyze improvement across specialties through convening, collaborating, and collective action to address emerging issues that influence the future of healthcare and the patients we serve.  For more information, visit www.cmss.org.

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation fosters path-breaking scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements and preservation of the special character of the Bay Area. Visit www.Moore.org or follow @MooreFound.

The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. Visit www.johnahartford.org.

Contact

Davis Renzelmann
Public Communications Inc.
920-627-0702
drenzelmann@pcipr.com

About the American Epilepsy Society

Founded in 1936, the American Epilepsy Society (AES) is a medical and scientific society whose members are dedicated to advancing research and education for preventing, treating and curing epilepsy. AES is an inclusive global forum where professionals from academia, private practice, not-for-profit, government and industry can learn, share and grow to eradicate epilepsy and its consequences.