Abstracts

Perceptions may directly or indirectly influence the quality of care physicians provide. This is particularly true in epilepsy, as misperceptions and prejudices have been noted by the Global Campaign Against Epilepsy and targeted in their [ldquo]Out of the Shadows[rdquo] campaign. Physicians are a major source of health information; their beliefs have a trickle-down effect to the general population. A physician[apos]s own comfort level treating certain diseases may also influence the quality of care he or she is able to provide. We surveyed physicians in El Salvador about their perceptions and comfort levels of treating patients with epilepsy., We surveyed 27 physicians in San Salvador, El Salvador. Eight practiced in neurology-related fields (neurology, pediatric neurology, or neurosurgery). Nineteen were in primary care fields (generalist or gynecology). All reported treating patients with epilepsy. Surveys were conducted at educational meetings in San Salvador. Part A asked participants to rate their agreement on a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 indicates disagreement and 5 indicates agreement for 11 statements in reference to persons with epilepsy. Part B was identical to A, except it specifically referred to persons with well-controlled epilepsy. Part C asked participants to rate their comfort level in treating patients with epilepsy on a scale from 1 to 5. It also requested age, field of medicine, and years in practice., The average sum on Part A for neurology related physicians (NRP) was 45.63 out of 55; the average for primary care physicians (PCP) was 42.84. The average sum on Part B for NRPs was 49.25; the average sum for primary care physicians was 47.79. Statements with a difference of greater than 1 point between the two groups include: Part A, [ldquo]Persons with epilepsy should be open about their disease with others,[rdquo] NRPs averaged 3.25 on a scale from 1 to 5. PCPs averaged 4.35 on the same statement. On the same statement in Part B, NRPs averaged 3.5, and PCPs averaged 4.7. In Part B [ldquo]Persons with well-controlled epilepsy should not be obligated to inform schools or employers of disease,[rdquo] NRPs averaged 2.88 on a scale of 1 to 5, whereas PCPs averaged 3.94. The average comfort score for NRPs was 4.63, and 2.79 for PCPs., Salvadoran physicians appear to have positive perceptions of persons with epilepsy. Although both NRPs and PCPs treat patients with epilepsy, PCPs are significantly less comfortable treating patients with epilepsy. Further research is needed to determine patients[apos] perceptions of physician and general population attitudes towards epilepsy. Further education is warranted to give PCPs information and confidence to become more comfortable in managing the treatment of their patients with epilepsy., (Supported by Center for Global Health at the University of Virginia.)