Epilepsy care in general practice.
Varley, J Fitzsimons, M Delanty, N Collins, C Boland, M Normand, C
Varley, J
Fitzsimons, M
Delanty, N
Collins, C
Boland, M
Normand, C
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Advisors
Editors
Other Contributors
Date
2009-06
Date Submitted
Keywords
Other Subjects
Subject Mesh
Adult
Continuity of Patient Care
Delivery of Health Care
Epilepsy
Female
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Ireland
Male
Middle Aged
Neurology
Physician's Practice Patterns
Physicians, Family
Primary Health Care
Questionnaires
Referral and Consultation
Continuity of Patient Care
Delivery of Health Care
Epilepsy
Female
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Ireland
Male
Middle Aged
Neurology
Physician's Practice Patterns
Physicians, Family
Primary Health Care
Questionnaires
Referral and Consultation
Planned Date
Start Date
Collaborators
Principal Investigators
Alternative Titles
Publisher
Abstract
Epilepsy care in Ireland is shared between primary, secondary and tertiary care services with the General Practitioner (GP) managing the process. Barriers to effective epilepsy care in Irish general practice remain undocumented although sub-optimal and fragmented services are frequently anecdotally reported. This survey of Irish GPs reports on such barriers to epilepsy care and on the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) issues potentially relevant to the use of an epilepsy specific Electronic Patient Record (EPR). The response rate was 247/700 (35.3%). Respondents supported the concept of shared care for epilepsy 237 (96%) however they were very dissatisfied with existing neurology services, including pathways of referral 207 (84%) and access to specialist neurology advice and investigations 232 (94%). They reported that neurology services and investigations may be accessed more expeditiously by patients with private health insurance than those without 178 (72%). Consequently many patients are referred to the emergency department for assessment and treatment 180 (73%). A deficit in epilepsy care expertise among GPs was acknowledged 86 (35%). While computerisation of GP practices appears widespread 230 (93%), just over half the respondents utilise available electronic functionalities specific to chronic disease management. GP specific electronic systems infrequently link or communicate with external electronic sources 133 (54%). While the current pathways of care for epilepsy in Ireland appear fragmented and inadequate, further investigations to determine the quality and cost effectiveness of the current service are required.
Language
en
ISSN
0332-3102
eISSN
ISBN
DOI
PMID
19722352