TY - JOUR
T1 - Neurologists' knowledge of and attitudes toward epilepsy surgery
T2 - A national survey
AU - Roberts, Jodie I.
AU - Hrazdil, Chantelle
AU - Wiebe, Samuel
AU - Sauro, Khara
AU - Vautour, Michelle
AU - Wiebe, Natalie
AU - Jetté, Nathalie
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 American Academy of Neurology.
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - Objectives: In the current study, we aim to assess potential neurologist-related barriers to epilepsy surgery among Canadian neurologists. Methods: A 29-item, pilot-tested questionnaire was mailed to all neurologists registered to practice in Canada. Survey items included the following: (1) type of medical practice, (2) perceptions of surgical risks and benefits, (3) knowledge of existing practice guidelines, and (4) barriers to surgery for patients with epilepsy. Neurologists who did not complete the questionnaire after the initial mailing were contacted a second time by e-mail, fax, or telephone. After this reminder, the survey was mailed a second time to any remaining nonresponders. Results: In total, 425 of 796 neurologists returned the questionnaire (response rate 53.5%). Respondents included 327 neurologists who followed patients with epilepsy in their practice. More than half (56.6%) of neurologists required patients to be drug-resistant and to have at least one seizure per year before considering surgery, and nearly half (48.6%) failed to correctly define drug-resistant epilepsy. More than 75%of neurologists identified inadequate health care resources as the greatest barrier to surgery for patients with epilepsy. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of Canadian neurologists are unaware of recommended standards of practice for epilepsy surgery. Access also appears to be a significant barrier to epilepsy surgery and surgical evaluation. As a result, we are concerned that patients with epilepsy are receiving inadequate care. A greater emphasis must be placed on knowledge dissemination and ensuring that the infrastructure and personnel are in place to allow patients to have timely access to this evidence-based treatment.
AB - Objectives: In the current study, we aim to assess potential neurologist-related barriers to epilepsy surgery among Canadian neurologists. Methods: A 29-item, pilot-tested questionnaire was mailed to all neurologists registered to practice in Canada. Survey items included the following: (1) type of medical practice, (2) perceptions of surgical risks and benefits, (3) knowledge of existing practice guidelines, and (4) barriers to surgery for patients with epilepsy. Neurologists who did not complete the questionnaire after the initial mailing were contacted a second time by e-mail, fax, or telephone. After this reminder, the survey was mailed a second time to any remaining nonresponders. Results: In total, 425 of 796 neurologists returned the questionnaire (response rate 53.5%). Respondents included 327 neurologists who followed patients with epilepsy in their practice. More than half (56.6%) of neurologists required patients to be drug-resistant and to have at least one seizure per year before considering surgery, and nearly half (48.6%) failed to correctly define drug-resistant epilepsy. More than 75%of neurologists identified inadequate health care resources as the greatest barrier to surgery for patients with epilepsy. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of Canadian neurologists are unaware of recommended standards of practice for epilepsy surgery. Access also appears to be a significant barrier to epilepsy surgery and surgical evaluation. As a result, we are concerned that patients with epilepsy are receiving inadequate care. A greater emphasis must be placed on knowledge dissemination and ensuring that the infrastructure and personnel are in place to allow patients to have timely access to this evidence-based treatment.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84925934173&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1212/wnl.0000000000001127
DO - 10.1212/wnl.0000000000001127
M3 - Article
C2 - 25503624
AN - SCOPUS:84925934173
SN - 0028-3878
VL - 84
SP - 159
EP - 166
JO - Neurology
JF - Neurology
IS - 2
ER -