Awareness Of Epilepsy Protocols Low Amongst Geriatricians
A national survey of geriatricians has found that 84% have never been on an epilepsy-related course, despite seeing between one and 20 elderly patients with epilepsy each month. Furthermore, one third (36%) is unaware that NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) has recently issued guidance for the diagnosis and management of epilepsy.
These findings emerge from research conducted by MORI Social Research Institute on behalf of Epilepsy Action, one of the UK's leading member-led epilepsy organisations. The aim of the research was to understand how medical practitioners who specialise in the care and treatment of elderly people are dealing with patients with epilepsy.
Worryingly, of the two-thirds (66 geriatricians) that are aware of the NICE guidance, only one in 10 (11%) knew that patients reporting a suspected seizure should be seen by an epilepsy-trained medical practitioner within two weeks. Encouragingly, 22% thought they should be seen in a shorter time-scale -- 15% said within 24 hours (15%) and 7% said within one week. However, two-fifths (42%) said that they did not know what the timescale should be.
Additionally, only one third (30%) knew that adults with epilepsy should have a formal review on an annual basis. Although again encouragingly, a further third (29%) thought their situation should be reviewed in a shorter timescale -- 9% said less than once every 6 months and 20% said once every six months. Two-fifths (42%) said that either that it depends (10%) or that they did not know (32%).
The NICE guidance also recommends that health professionals and patients should agree a care plan. Despite this, one third (30%) of geriatricians say that none of their patients currently have a written care plan and a further 16% do not know. However, more positively, 18% of geriatricians said that all their patients have written care plans.
Despite most geriatricians not being aware of formal treatment and care procedures, the research shows that they feel epilepsy affects older people to a greater extent than others with the condition. Two-thirds (68%) recognise a number of physical effects are more of a problem for older people with epilepsy -- these include side effects from drugs and/or drug interactions, risk of injury from falls, and confusion. Additionally, 53% spontaneously cite a number of social and psychological effects, including lack of independence, and confidence, as well as loneliness.
Technical details
The results are based on telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 103 geriatricians across the UK. Interviews were carried out between 19-29 April 2005.
Data are weighted according to the national profile of geriatricians. Results that add up to more than 100 per cent are due to multiple answers.
For the purpose of this survey 'elderly people' were deemed to be aged 60+.
The survey was commissioned by Epilepsy Action to provide information for National Epilepsy Week (15-21 May 2005). This year's theme of National Epilepsy Week is 'Epilepsy in Later Life'. The research study was made possible by an educational grant from Pfizer Ltd. The views expressed in this press release are the author's own (MORI) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the commissioning bodies and/or sponsors.
