The Influence of Education on Knowledge of Their Disorder and Quality of Life in Patients with Epilepsy.
- Author:
Ju Hwa LEE
1
;
Sang Do YI
;
Young Won CHO
;
Jeong Geun LIM
;
Myung Ja SON
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Deagu, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Epilepsy;
Knowledge;
Quality of life;
Education
- MeSH:
Anticonvulsants;
Craniocerebral Trauma;
Education*;
Epilepsy*;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Prognosis;
Quality of Life*;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of Korean Epilepsy Society
2005;9(1):65-71
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The education of the patients is an effective component of comprehensive care, especially in patients with epilepsy. We developed an epilepsy educational program designed to improve the knowledge and understanding of the natural clinical course, the treatment, and prognosis of epilepsy. We evaluated the efficacy of this educational program to epilepsy patient's knowledge of their disorder and quality of life. METHODS: We studied 224 patients with epilepsy from Dongsan Epilepsy Center. All patients completed the Knowledge and Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31) questionnaire before a one-day educational program was completed. Six months after the educational program was given, patients completed the same questionnaire. The results of the two surveys were compared. RESULTS: In the initial questionnaire, about 60% of the patients thought that epilepsy is not related with head trauma. About 40% of the patients thought that epilepsy is a genetic disorder. Over 80% of the patients thought that behavior changes are not related to epilepsy. Over 90% of the patients had correct responses about taking antiepileptic drugs. However, only 60% of the patients had their ideas regarding proper social activity correct. After completing the educational course, the results of the follow-up questionnaires were markedly improved concerning the patients' knowledge of epilepsy. In contrast, the quality of life measures changed a little. CONCLUSION: An epilepsy educational program for patients improves their knowledge of epilepsy. This study was performed with only one education workshop, which is not sufficient to improve the quality of life measures. A well-regulated, systematic educational program is needed to efficiently improve the lives of epileptic patients.
