Abstracts

Rationale: The Connectors Project, a collaboration between the Epilepsy Foundation and UCB Pharma, is designed to improve epilepsy awareness and management starting in 4 states (Michigan, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Nevada). The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan (EFM), a state with 8 epilepsy centers, implemented the Connectors Project, serving as a model for improving care in an urban setting. One objective of the Connectors Project is to assess the impact of tailored outreach and educational approaches on communication about epilepsy quality measures and self-management behaviors. Methods: Standardized curricula for clinicians and consumers were developed based on the American Academy of Neurology developed epilepsy quality measures, focusing on improving communication and encouraging self-management skills among people with epilepsy. Each state adapted the curricula and created complementary interventions to address local needs. Several in-person and online educational sessions were given using the adopted curricula between October 2016 and June 2017. Surveys were done at baseline and at 3 and 6 months post event. Consumer questions included learning preferences, satisfaction in and comfort talking to their clinicians about quality of epilepsy care, and confidence in executing self-management behaviors. Clinician questions included their confidence in and frequency of discussing quality of care topics. Preliminary 3 and 6 month data have been analyzed and are presented. Changes in patient activation measures were assessed using a one-way between-subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures. Results: 275 consumers from the 4 states participated in various activities. EFM reached 134 consumers and 36 clinicians through the aforementioned interventions. At baseline, < 60% of Michigan consumers (n=25) surveyed by EFM were satisfied talking about the majority of the quality measures with their clinician (Table 1). Clinicians expressed dissatisfaction in discussing the availability of newer AEDs and other treatments and when to refer to an epilepsy center. Michigan consumers indicated improvement in satisfaction with information provided by clinicians about types of seizures or syndromes, test results, safety, types of treatments, and co-morbidities. Patient activation among Michigan consumers saw significant improvement in 3 specific areas (Table 2). Conclusions: Even in large urban settings with comprehensive epilepsy centers, consumers and clinicians struggle to discuss critical topics considered standard measures of quality care in epilepsy. Results from the Michigan pilot demonstrated changes in communication about quality care and self-management behaviors in participating consumers. Local Epilepsy Foundations are able to bring consumers and clinicians together using tailored approaches to meet the priorities of their population. Funding: UCB Pharma-sponsored.