An audit of care provided for children with epilepsy in the South Tees area

Abstract

This study examined the knowledge carers of children with epilepsy have of the condition and its management. It also examined their experience of medical services for their child and the attitude of staff at their schools. A school nursing sister using a semi-structured technique interviewed 48 carers of 53 children. A majority expressed dissatisfaction with outpatient medical care, especially that outpatient visits did not improve their knowledge of the condition or its treatment. Twenty-eight carers were not satisfied with the attitude of staff at schools. Ways to improve the service are discussed, including the role of the specialist community children's nurse and the need to see children with epilepsy in a dedicated clinic.

School Nurse Knowledge and Perceptions of Recurrent Abdominal Pain: Opportunity for Therapeutic Alliance?

“…14 Articles in school nurse publications commonly examine the impact of chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and cancer on school-age children, with specific attention to the risks of frequent absenteeism. [15][16][17][18] A recent study suggests that compared with healthy children, more than twice as many adolescents with RAP miss more than 10 days of school per year. 19 Another study reports that children with RAP miss 3 times as many school days as their healthy peers.…”

An observational study investigating the health provision for children with epilepsy within secondary schools in the East Midlands, UK

“…Incomplete reporting or a skewed sample is possible explanations for this discrepancy. Previous studies have shown that it is not uncommon for a school to be unaware that an individual child has epilepsy (Hanai 1996; Stewart et al . 1998).…”

“…Lack of knowledge, not coping with seizures, misinterpreting seizures or unnecessarily sending children home were examples of reasons given for dissatisfaction. Eighteen children were reported to have been denied certain school activities on account of their epilepsy (Stewart et al. 1998).…”

Children with epilepsy and their families: Psychosocial issues

“…4 Siblings may miss out on school activities and face many disappointments, since activities in which the epileptic child may not participate may be terminated. 18,23 Coping strategies Previous South African studies in other research populations revealed significant positive correlations between avoidant coping strategies and anxiety as well as depression, in contrast with significant negative correlations between problem-solving coping strategies and anxiety as well as depression in parents of children with Down Syndrome 20 and in adults caring for depressed spouses. 26 In parents of children with epilepsy, effective problem-solving coping strategies as opposed to avoidant coping strategies should likewise help to diminish psychological distress.…”

“…The family may spend less time enjoying activities outside the home, fearing that the child may have a seizure, and inviting friends to the home may come to an end. 18,23 One parent may have to end his/her employment outside the home to take care of the child, which may lead to a reduced income for the family and therefore the reduction of pleasurable activities. Having a child with epilepsy incurs many expenses, since specialist consultations, medication and special investigations are costly.…”