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Functional seizures: An evaluation of the attitudes of general practitioners local to a tertiary neuroscience service in London
- Source :
- Epilepsia Open
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2019.
-
Abstract
- Summary Objective Functional seizures are a common functional neurologic disorder. Given their chronic nature, and the biopsychosocial factors involved in their etiology, general practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in the care of these patients. However, little is known about the attitudes of GPs toward, and knowledge of, functional seizures. Methods The Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre in London provides a comprehensive service to patients with functional seizures. As part of a service evaluation we conducted an online survey among local GPs over a 1‐month period assessing their attitudes toward, and knowledge of, functional seizures. Results One hundred twenty of 974 surveyed GPs replied to the survey (12.3%). Approximately 75% of GPs readily use the term “pseudoseizures,” and over 50% were not sure or did not think that functional seizures were involuntary. Nearly 30% believed, or were unsure as to whether, functional seizures occur only when patients are stressed. Despite approximately 50% of GPs expressing interest in getting involved in the management of these patients, a similar proportion do not feel confident in dealing with queries from patients with functional seizures. Although most GPs felt that neurology and psychiatry should be the primary caregivers in the diagnosis and management, respectively, of functional seizures, 50% were also of the opinion that neurology should be involved in the management of these patients. Significance This survey highlights the attitudes of, and descriptive terms used by, GPs toward patients with functional seizures. Our findings suggest a need for better and clearer provision of information to GPs about this condition.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
Biopsychosocial model
Service (business)
medicine.medical_specialty
Neurology
business.industry
functional seizures
nonepileptic seizures
Psychogenic Seizure
pseudoseizures
03 medical and health sciences
030104 developmental biology
0302 clinical medicine
medicine
Etiology
Full‐length Original Research
GP attitudes
psychogenic seizures
Neurology (clinical)
business
Neuroscience
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 24709239
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Epilepsia Open
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....118805d28fb893e38273843c7f87084f