Abstracts

Rationale: Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic diseases. Its potential adverse effects include physical morbidity, social stigma, and more generally, impaired quality of life. Living with epilepsy in any society should mean living a full life, with no more than absolutely necessary restrictions. The attitude of society can cause more pain than the seizure itself. Due to the patient/caregiver relationship, patients may view their health care professionals attitudes as especially influential. Thus, it is important that health care professionals express attitudes that provide maximal support for the patient, and reflect appropriate levels of precautions while dispelling myths regarding epilepsy Nursing literature provides guidance on which health care professional perspectives reflect appropriate precautions regarding epilepsy. Methods: Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in November-December 2009,to identify current attitudes of selected health care professionals at UVA Medical Center, Virginia to compare them with best practices.An anonymous survey was distributed by email containing both demographic questions and questions about attitudes toward epilepsy, drawing a distinction between epilepsy in general and well-controlled epilepsy. Specific units were invited to participate, based on their health care professionals different degrees of training and routine involvement with patients with epilepsy: - Neurology Registered Nurses (RN) and Patient Care assistants (PCAs)/Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) from Acute care neurology(Epilepsy Monitoring Unit included) and neurosurgery units, Neuro ICU; Pediatric ICU, Acute care pediatrics, Kluge Children rehabilitation center inpatient. - As a Control Group comparison, General Medicine RNs and PCAs/PCTs from Acute care medicine units) Results: 130 of 288 invited RNs responded (45%); 33 of 84 invited PCAs/PCTs responded (39%). Of the Control group, 47% of invited RNs and 12% of invited PCAs/PCTs responded; the Control PCAs/PCTs opted to provide responses for the general epilepsy but not the well-controlled epilepsy questions. The 18 questions in each section were divided into 4 categories: Intelligence and Ability to Contribute; Psychiatric Disorder and Suicidal Ideation; Employment and School; Family, Lifestyle and Sexuality. The most desirable outcome (optimal response) was identified for each question. Conclusions: Implications for Practice: The desirable outcome for both the RN and PCA/PCT, both Control and Neuro groups, would be at least 50% favorable towards the optimal answer. In just one category, namely, 'intelligence and ability to contribute', the RN's attitude reflects the current best practice, but still not 50%. In general, it is obvious that there is much room for re-education. We are unable to compare the Control PCAs and the Neuro PCAs because of inadequate responses by the Control PCAs in the controlled epilepsy section. Educational materials regarding the most supportive attitudes were administered via computer based learning to all the participants and credits given for participations in February 2010.