Abstracts

The role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Epilepsy (CNSE) has been well defined (Brown et al 1998, Kwan et al 2000, Castledine 2002). Nurse telephone support to epilepsy patients is a relatively new concept with few documented studies. This study examines tele-nurse advice to epilepsy patients, its indirect effects on other medical services and seeks to find out what patients would do if this service was unavailable. A retrospective audit of phone interactions was carried out, reviewing 6 weeks of calls. During this time patients were asked to choose from the following options of what they would do if the service was not available:
(a) attend their GP, (b) contact consultant neurologist, (c) contact hospital doctor, (d) attend A[amp] E department, (e) contact secretary to have their OPD appointment brought forward, (e) do nothing or (f) other. The results showed that 57% of patients would contact a hospital doctor if the service was not available. 27% said they would attend theri GP. 6% said they would attend A[amp]E department while 7% would contact the secretary to have their appointment brought forward.
70% of patients contacted the CNSE for urgent advice on ongoing seisures, medication and side effects. Medications were adjusted over the phone with occassional assistance of a GP in 45% cases. This study suggests that this service is valuable in the care of epilepsy patients and shows positive effects on other medical services. It also highlights the CNSE as a key member of the multi-disciplinary epilepsy team.