Abstracts

Rationale: Families with children with chronic diseases such as epilepsy may experience many psychosocial stressors and are at potential risk for elevated distress. No assessment is routinely performed at most epilepsy centers to identify high risk families. Methods: Families with a child admitted to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Children’s Hospital of Alabama were asked to complete the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) questionnaire as part of the admission packet. The PAT is a screening measure to assess potential risk domains of family resources, social support, child knowledge, child emotional and behavioral concerns, marital and family problems, and family beliefs. Results: Between Aug 2017 and March 2018, nearly 400 families were asked to complete the questionnaire. Nearly one hundred forms were completed. Sixty eight PAT questionnaires were analyzed. Families undergoing epilepsy surgery were excluded from this analysis.The mean age of children (28F:40M) with epilepsy was 10.2 + 5.2 yrs. Mean age at diagnosis was 6.5 + 5.2 yrs. Twelve (17%) were Black, 54 (80%) White, and 2 (3%) Multiracial. Forty five (66%) had Medicaid, 18 (27%) had private insurance, and 5 had self-purchase/low cost insurance. The majority were in school: 46 (68%) of which 19 (41%) had an IEP/504 plan. Four were home schooled.  Assessment was completed by a biological parent (83%) who was > 21 yrs old (94%) and currently married (72%). Eighty one% had completed high school, 28% had a college degree, and 10% had post-graduate education.Nearly 41 % reported financial problems, including 9% reported significant difficulty meeting every day needs. The main areas of concern included transportation (65%), rent (36%), phone/utilities (32%), and medical costs (28%). Ninety four % of families owned a vehicle. Conclusions: While the PAT data is still being analyzed, results show that nearly 50% of families provided responses possibly indicating risk for ongoing psychosocial difficulties.Nearly 41% reported financial issues while 9% faced significant financial challenges meeting every day needs.These high risk families with low support may have extra challenges in coming to scheduled clinic and ancillary testing appointments. Identification of high risk families with tools such as PAT may be used to improve access and provide better care for children and youth with epilepsy.Families with high financial burdens may be helped by tools such as telehealth which seek to decrease transportation costs, time away from work, and missed school.   Funding: None