Abstracts

Rationale: Epilepsy affects more than 3.4 million people in the United States. Epilepsy has high rates of psychiatric comorbidities in both adult and pediatric patient populations. Between 25 and 50% of people with epilepsy (PWE) are also diagnosed with a concomitant psychiatric disorder, that include anxiety, depression, suicidality, attention disorders, behavioral disturbances and chronic stress. Overall quality of life in PWE is lower secondary to the presence of psychiatric comorbidities, in addition to a range of lifestyle restrictions and educational and employment challenges. A purposeful, coordinated synthesis of care among the wide range of providers caring for PWE is needed to better address the spectrum of comorbidities and psychosocial challenges. Methods: The Epilepsy Foundation and its partners from the National Epilepsy Education and Awareness Collaborative (NEEAC) designed a series of training modules for behavioral health professionals focused on diagnosis, treatment, comorbidities and self-management in epilepsy. Modules on Epilepsy Basics and The Intersection of Epilepsy and Psychiatric Disorders were presented via webinar to provider target groups including social workers, psychologists, nurses, psychiatry advanced practice providers and counselors. The Foundation partnered with the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD), to promote and host webinars, taking advantage of established monthly professional development for members. Webinars were also shared through partner NEEAC communications. Results: Registration for pilot modular webinar training (1. Epilepsy Basics; 2.The Intersection of Epilepsy and Psychiatric Disorders) included 440 individuals. The spectrum of providers registered for this implementation pilot included social workers, psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatry residents, case managers, clinical counselors, nurses, psychiatric nurse practitioners, school nurses, pharmacists, community service providers, physicians and researchers. Combined data (n=39) from the two initial learning sessions indicated that over 91% of those participating in the webinars and post webinar evaluation (Likert scale) felt their learning needs were either 'well met' or 'very well met'. Post webinar evaluation participants (94%) were interested in ongoing webinar modular training. Greater than 70% indicated cognitive behavioral therapies; medication management; the intersection of epilepsy and mental health; and epilepsy self-management programs were areas of focus for additional learning. Conclusions: This pilot implementation study demonstrated a spectrum of behavioral health providers desiring easily accessible training in epilepsy. Early results indicate high user satisfaction with educational content and a desire for ongoing learning specific to epilepsy and behavioral health. Delivery of epilepsy education to behavioral health providers is critical to increasing accessibility to quality care for PWE and psychiatric disorders. Webinars are a cost-effective way to provide epilepsy education to a national and international audience. In addition, the library of webinar modules remain accessible online and are easily shared to engage new learners and extend impact.  Funding: Funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under cooperative agreement number 1U58DP0026256-03-00, CFDA 93.850. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the CDC.