Abstracts

Rationale: Rationale: 3.4 million people in the US live with epilepsy. These individuals can face challenges managing seizures alongside comorbid mental and physical illness and social drivers of health. The 2012 IOM Report on Epilepsy highlighted the potential of nontraditional health providers, including CHWs, in improving outcomes for people with epilepsy (PWE). This project examined the model of an academic medical center team (Dartmouth Health) with expertise to develop, deliver, and sustain a virtual multilevel health care professional training program (“An Overview of Epilepsy and Self-Management”) partnering with a community based organization, Epilepsy Foundation New England (EFNE), who onboard annual cohorts of AmeriCorps staff, to enhance access to healthcare and community-based services for PWE.


Methods: Methods: A 6-hour virtual interactive training program was developed at Dartmouth and faculty delivered three core learning modules via a secure online platform to EFNE AmeriCorps cohorts; 1) Epilepsy & Seizures, 2) Living with Epilepsy, and 3) Managing Epilepsy. This education provided a knowledge base and three supplemental virtual modules (90 min. each) were then provided to the trainees in follow up, covering: 1)Psychosocial Health & Stigma; 2) Social Determinants of Health in Epilepsy; and 3)Barriers to Medication Adherence. The education intentionally served to facilitate the integration of AmeriCorps staff into epilepsy care settings in NH, ME, MA, VT, RI and CT. Post training evaluation was done.


Results: Results: Core learning was provided to 100 AmeriCorps trainees with diverse backgrounds. Of trainees who returned evaluations (n=75), 68% reported obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher and identified their occupations as Community Health Worker (49%), Public Health (9%), Health Promotion (6%), Social Worker (6%), Nurse (3%), and Health Policy (3%). In total, 59% volunteered in community-based organizations, 33% in hospitals, and 8% split time in both a community-based organization and hospital. In total 75 participants completed a post-evaluation survey. 99.9% of respondents strongly agree/agree that the presentation of material was effective and 99% of respondents strongly agree/agree that teaching strategies were effective and the information provided was important. 99% of respondents reported they would recommend this training to others. 44% of respondents reported working in urban underserved settings, while 29% reported working in rural settings.


Conclusions: Conclusion: Partnering to integrate Dartmouth’s virtual community training has bolstered the capacity of EFNE to extend its services to PWE by facilitating AmeriCorps CHWs being stationed at epilepsy centers and within community based organizations across New England. Initial trainee feedback shares high satisfaction with educational content and materials; and supports the training program's efficacy in engaging CHWs to boost their knowledge and confidence to better serve PWE. Studies are underway to assess the impact of this model comprehensively.


Funding: Funding: n/a