1
|
Noble AJ, Morris B, Dixon P, Mathieson A, Ridsdale L, Morgan M, Dickson J, Goodacre S, Jackson M, Hughes D, Marson A, Holmes E. Service users' preferences and feasibility - which alternative care pathway for adult ambulance users achieves the optimal balance? Workshops for the COLLABORATE project. Seizure 2024; 118:17-27. [PMID: 38613878 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adults presenting to the ambulance service for diagnosed epilepsy are often transported to emergency departments (EDs) despite no clinical need. An alternative care pathway (CP) could allow paramedics to divert them from ED and instigate ambulatory care improvements. To identify the most promising CP configuration for subsequent testing, the COLLABORATE project surveyed people with epilepsy and family/friends who had recently used the English ambulance service to elicit preferences for 288 CP configurations for different seizures. This allowed CPs to be ranked according to alignment with service users' preferences. However, as well as being acceptable to users, a CP must be feasible. We thus engaged with paramedics, epilepsy specialists and commissioners to identify the optimal configuration. METHODS Three Knowledge Exchange workshops completed. Participants considered COLLABORATE's evidence on service users' preferences for the different configurations. Nominal group techniques elicited views on the feasibility of users' preferences according to APEASE criteria. Workshop groups specified the configuration/s considered optimum. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. Utility to users of the specified CP configurations estimated using the COLLABORATE preference survey data. RESULTS Twenty-seven participants found service users' preferences broadly feasible and outlined delivery recommendations. They identified enough commonality in preferences for different seizures to propose a single CP. Its configuration comprised: 1) patients staying where they were; 2) paramedics having access to medical records; 3) care episodes lasting <6 h; 4) paramedics receiving specialist advice on the day; 5) patient's GP being notified; and 6) a follow-up appointment being arranged with an epilepsy specialist. Preference data indicated higher utility for this configuration compared to current care. DISCUSSION Stakeholders are of the view that the CP configuration favoured by service users could be NHS feasible. It should be developed and evaluated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Noble
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Beth Morris
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Pete Dixon
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amy Mathieson
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Leone Ridsdale
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Myfanwy Morgan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, UK
| | - Jon Dickson
- Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Steve Goodacre
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Mike Jackson
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Bolton, UK
| | - Dyfrig Hughes
- Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation, North Wales Medical School, Bangor University, UK; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Anthony Marson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Emily Holmes
- Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation, North Wales Medical School, Bangor University, UK; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lennard S, Henley W, McLean B, Thompson T, Jadav M, Laugharne R, Shankar R. Risk characteristics of alcohol and/or drug misuse in repeat emergency department attendees for seizures: a case-control study. J Neurol 2023; 270:4914-4921. [PMID: 37354269 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11833-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a bi-directional relationship between seizures and substance misuse, i.e., alcohol and recreational drugs. Seizures and substance misuse are recognised separately to influence increased emergency department (ED) admissions and early death. There is however no understanding of the cumulative influence of these matters on repeat ED attenders for seizures esp. as a third are likely to re-attend within the year. This case-control study compares the characteristics of people with substance misuse to those without substance misuse presenting recurrently with seizures to the ED. METHODS From a single ED serving a rural population in the Southwest of England, data of all people presenting more than once with a seizure over a 4-year period were examined. The diagnosis of alcohol or drug misuse, deaths, demographic characteristics, and service use were captured. RESULTS Of 450 repeat attenders, 95 had a recorded history of alcohol and/or drug problems. Those with substance misuse had double the mortality when adjusted for age and gender compared to those without. They were also more likely to be male, younger in age, have mental health issues, live in socially deprived neighborhoods, not take anti-seizure medications and not have had a specialist review in epilepsy services in the previous year. Nearly a quarter of those with addiction issues died in the 4-year period. DISCUSSION Service provision for this vulnerable group may need to be modelled along different lines to traditional approaches, such as an assertive outreach community-based service as provided for chronic psychiatric and addiction management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lennard
- Department of Intellectual Disability Neuropsychiatry, Research Team, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK
- CIDER, University of Plymouth Peninsula School of Medicine, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK
| | - William Henley
- Department of Health and Community Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | | | - Tom Thompson
- CIDER, University of Plymouth Peninsula School of Medicine, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK
| | - Mark Jadav
- Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust, Truro, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Richard Laugharne
- Department of Intellectual Disability Neuropsychiatry, Research Team, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK
- CIDER, University of Plymouth Peninsula School of Medicine, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK
| | - Rohit Shankar
- Department of Intellectual Disability Neuropsychiatry, Research Team, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK.
- CIDER, University of Plymouth Peninsula School of Medicine, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK.
- Chygovenck, Three Milestone Industrial Estate, Truro, TR4 9LD, Cornwall, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Seizures and emergency department: characteristics and factors of repeat adult attendees. J Neurol 2022; 269:3770-3778. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11006-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
4
|
Bernal Cobo R, Giraldo Tapias LM, Gómez Escobar T, Rueda Cárdenas LF, Zapata Berruecos JF, Vásquez Trespalacios EM, Giraldo Castrillón YM, Rojas-Gualdrón DF. Factors involved in time reduction between seizure relapses in patients with epilepsy attending emergency rooms in Medellín, Colombia. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 126:108458. [PMID: 34906900 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seizure relapses are the leading cause of admission to emergency rooms (ER) in people with epilepsy. OBJECTIVE To analyze administrative and clinical factors associated with the duration between seizure relapses in people with epilepsy admitted to the Neurological Institute of Colombia (Medellin) between July 2018 and July 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective follow-up study of 156 patients over 18 years old, diagnosed with epilepsy, and treated for over a year. The outcome variable was the time between seizure relapses, identified through the record of ER attendances. In addition, difficulties in the prescription filling process (delay, omission, or brand change) and clinical characteristics were analyzed as potential associated influence factors. The statistical analysis was performed using the Prentice, Williams & Peterson-Gap Time survival model for recurrent events. Finally, Adjusted Hazard Ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) are also presented. RESULTS One hundred fifty-six patients were analyzed. Their average age of diagnosis was 15.5 years (SD = 22.5), the median number of monthly seizures was 3 (SD = 9.3), and 50.6% were women. Moreover, difficulties in the prescription filling process were associated with a time reduction between seizure relapses (aHR = 2.61; 95%CI 1.49-4.57), showing a similar impact as having a history of three or four types of events (aHR = 2.96; 95%CI 1.23-7.12) and neuropsychiatric comorbidity (aHR = 1.89; 95%CI 1.04-3.54). CONCLUSION Neuropsychiatric comorbidity, history of several types of events, and experiencing difficulties with prescription filling are associated with lower benefit from treatment to control seizure relapses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Bernal Cobo
- Residente Universidad CES, Instituto Neurológico de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lewis AK, Taylor NF, Carney PW, Harding KE. What is the effect of delays in access to specialist epilepsy care on patient outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 122:108192. [PMID: 34265620 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the association between delays in access to specialist epilepsy care and patient outcomes. METHODS Three databases were searched using eligibility criteria related to the concepts of timely access, epilepsy, and clinical outcome. Comparative data on patient outcomes by time to treatment was required for inclusion. Studies were selected independently by two researchers who reviewed title/abstract, then full text articles. Data were extracted and risk of bias was evaluated. Results were synthesized in random effects model meta-analyses, and strength of the body of evidence was evaluated. Descriptive analysis was conducted for studies not included in meta-analyses. RESULTS Thirty-five studies, reported in 40 papers, were included. The studies investigated impact of delays in diagnosis, commencement of medication, or surgery for children and adults. Early diagnosis and access to specialist neurology care was associated with improvements in seizure status, development, and/or intelligence quotients. Meta-analyses provided low to high certainty evidence of increased odds of improved seizure outcome with early commencement of medication depending on follow-up period and individual risk factors. There was moderate certainty evidence that people with favorable seizure outcomes wait less time (MD 2.8 years, 95% CI 1.7-3.9) for surgery compared to those with unfavorable outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE This review provides evidence that earlier access to specialist epilepsy care for diagnosis, commencement of medication, and surgery is associated with better patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annie K Lewis
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia; La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Nicholas F Taylor
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia; La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patrick W Carney
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia; Monash University Melbourne, Australia; The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Katherine E Harding
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia; La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Noble A, Nevitt S, Holmes E, Ridsdale L, Morgan M, Tudur-Smith C, Hughes D, Goodacre S, Marson T, Snape D. Seizure first aid training for people with epilepsy attending emergency departments and their significant others: the SAFE intervention and feasibility RCT. HEALTH SERVICES AND DELIVERY RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.3310/hsdr08390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
No seizure first aid training intervention exists for people with epilepsy who regularly attend emergency departments and their significant others, despite such an intervention’s potential to reduce clinically unnecessary and costly visits.
Objectives
The objectives were to (1) develop Seizure first Aid training For Epilepsy (SAFE) by adapting a broader intervention and (2) determine the feasibility and optimal design of a definitive randomised controlled trial to test SAFE’s efficacy.
Design
The study involved (1) the development of an intervention informed by a co-design approach with qualitative feedback and (2) a pilot randomised controlled trial with follow-ups at 3, 6 and 12 months and assessments of treatment fidelity and the cost of SAFE’s delivery.
Setting
The setting was (1) third-sector patient support groups and professional health-care organisations and (2) three NHS emergency departments in England.
Participants
Participants were (1) people with epilepsy who had visited emergency departments in the prior 2 years, their significant others and emergency department, paramedic, general practice, commissioning, neurology and nursing representatives and (2) people with epilepsy aged ≥ 16 years who had been diagnosed for ≥ 1 year and who had made two or more emergency department visits in the prior 12 months, and one of their significant others. Emergency departments identified ostensibly eligible people with epilepsy from attendance records and patients confirmed their eligibility.
Interventions
Participants in the pilot randomised controlled trial were randomly allocated 1 : 1 to SAFE plus treatment as usual or to treatment as usual only.
Main outcome measures
Consent rate and availability of routine data on emergency department use at 12 months were the main outcome measures. Other measures of interest included eligibility rate, ease with which people with epilepsy could be identified and routine data secured, availability of self-reported emergency department data, self-reported emergency department data’s comparability with routine data, SAFE’s effect on emergency department use, and emergency department use in the treatment as usual arm, which could be used in sample size calculations.
Results
(1) Nine health-care professionals and 23 service users provided feedback that generated an intervention considered to be NHS feasible and well positioned to achieve its purpose. (2) The consent rate was 12.5%, with 53 people with epilepsy and 38 significant others recruited. The eligibility rate was 10.6%. Identifying people with epilepsy from attendance records was resource intensive for emergency department staff. Those recruited felt more stigmatised because of epilepsy than the wider epilepsy population. Routine data on emergency department use at 12 months were secured for 94.1% of people with epilepsy, but the application process took 8.5 months. Self-reported emergency department data were available for 66.7% of people with epilepsy, and people with epilepsy self-reported more emergency department visits than were captured in routine data. Most participants (76.9%) randomised to SAFE received the intervention. The intervention was delivered with high fidelity. No related serious adverse events occurred. Emergency department use at 12 months was lower in the SAFE plus treatment as usual arm than in the treatment as usual only arm, but not significantly so. Calculations indicated that a definitive trial would need ≈ 674 people with epilepsy and ≈ 39 emergency department sites.
Limitations
Contrary to patient statements on recruitment, routine data secured at the pilot trial’s end indicated that ≈ 40% may not have satisfied the inclusion criterion of two or more emergency department visits.
Conclusions
An intervention was successfully developed, a pilot randomised controlled trial conducted and outcome data secured for most participants. The consent rate did not satisfy a predetermined ‘stop/go’ level of ≥ 20%. The time that emergency department staff needed to identify eligible people with epilepsy is unlikely to be replicable. A definitive trial is currently not feasible.
Future work
Research to more easily identify and recruit people from the target population is required.
Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN13871327.
Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 8, No. 39. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Noble
- Department of Health Services Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah Nevitt
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Emily Holmes
- Centre for Health Economics and Medicine Evaluation, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Leone Ridsdale
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Myfanwy Morgan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, UK
| | | | - Dyfrig Hughes
- Centre for Health Economics and Medicine Evaluation, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Steve Goodacre
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Tony Marson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Darlene Snape
- Department of Health Services Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Noble AJ, Snape D, Nevitt S, Holmes EA, Morgan M, Tudur-Smith C, Hughes DA, Buchanan M, McVicar J, MacCallum E, Goodacre S, Ridsdale L, Marson AG. Seizure First Aid Training For people with Epilepsy (SAFE) frequently attending emergency departments and their significant others: results of a UK multi-centre randomised controlled pilot trial. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035516. [PMID: 32303515 PMCID: PMC7201300 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the feasibility and optimal design of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of Seizure First Aid Training For Epilepsy (SAFE). DESIGN Pilot RCT with embedded microcosting. SETTING Three English hospital emergency departments (EDs). PARTICIPANTS Patients aged ≥16 with established epilepsy reporting ≥2 ED visits in the prior 12 months and their significant others (SOs). INTERVENTIONS Patients (and their SOs) were randomly allocated (1:1) to SAFE plus treatment-as-usual (TAU) or TAU alone. SAFE is a 4-hour group course. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Two criteria evaluated a definitive RCT's feasibility: (1) ≥20% of eligible patients needed to be consented into the pilot trial; (2) routine data on use of ED over the 12 months postrandomisation needed securing for ≥75%. Other measures included eligibility, ease of obtaining routine data, availability of self-report ED data and comparability, SAFE's effect and intervention cost. RESULTS Of ED attendees with a suspected seizure, 424 (10.6%) patients were eligible; 53 (12.5%) patients and 38 SOs consented. Fifty-one patients (and 37 SOs) were randomised. Routine data on ED use at 12 months were secured for 94.1% patients. Self-report ED data were available for 66.7% patients. Patients reported more visits compared with routine data. Most (76.9%) patients randomised to SAFE received it and no related serious adverse events occurred. ED use at 12 months was lower in the SAFE+TAU arm compared with TAU alone, but not significantly (rate ratio=0.62, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.17). A definitive trial would need ~674 patient participants and ~39 recruitment sites. Obtaining routine data was challenging, taking ~8.5 months. CONCLUSIONS In satisfying only one predetermined 'stop/go' criterion, a definitive RCT is not feasible. The low consent rate in the pilot trial raises concerns about a definitive trial's finding's external validity and means it would be expensive to conduct. Research is required into how to optimise recruitment from the target population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN13871327.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Noble
- Department of Health Services Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Dee Snape
- Department of Health Services Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah Nevitt
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Emily A Holmes
- Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Myfanwy Morgan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Dyfrig A Hughes
- Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Mark Buchanan
- Emergency Department, Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral, UK
| | - Jane McVicar
- MacKinnon Memorial Hospital / Broadford Hospital, NHS Highland, Broadford, Isle of Skye, UK
| | - Elizabeth MacCallum
- Emergency Department, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Steve Goodacre
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Leone Ridsdale
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony G Marson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Burrows L, Lennard S, Hudson S, McLean B, Jadav M, Henley W, Sander JW, Shankar R. Exploring epilepsy attendance at the emergency department and interventions which may reduce unnecessary attendances: A scoping review. Seizure 2020; 76:39-46. [PMID: 31999986 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2020.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeat attendances to emergency departments for seizures, impacts on the individual and burdens health care systems. We conducted a review to identify implementable measures which improve the management of people with epilepsy reducing healthcare costs and their supportive evidence. METHODS A scoping review design using suitable search strategy as outlined by PRISMA-ScR was used to examine seven databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PsychINFO, HMIC and BNI. A manual search of the COCHRANE database and citation searching was also conducted. A thematic analysis was conducted to explore the context and reasons of emergency department attendance for seizures, particularly repeat attendances and the strategies and measures deployed to reduce repeat attendances. RESULTS Twenty-nine reports were included, comprising of a systematic review, a randomised control study, a multi-method study, quantitative studies (n = 17), qualitative studies (n = 6), an audit, a survey and a quality improvement project. Thematic analysis identified four broad areas for reducing repeat attendances. These were developing care pathways, conducting care and treatment reviews, providing educational interventions and role of ambulance staff. CONCLUSION The findings indicate varied reasons for attendance at ED following seizure, including mental health and knowledge of seizure management and lack of education. Implementations of care pathways in ED have been found to reduce admission related costs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Burrows
- Department of Intellectual Disability Neuropsychiatry, Research Team, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK; University of Plymouth, UK
| | - Sarah Lennard
- Department of Intellectual Disability Neuropsychiatry, Research Team, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK
| | - Sharon Hudson
- Department of Intellectual Disability Neuropsychiatry, Research Team, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK
| | | | - Mark Jadav
- Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - William Henley
- Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Truro, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Josemir W Sander
- UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Buckinghamshire, SL9 0RJ, UK; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Achterweg 5, 2103 SW, Heemstede, the Netherlands
| | - Rohit Shankar
- Department of Intellectual Disability Neuropsychiatry, Research Team, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Truro, TR1 3QB, UK; Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Truro, TR1 3HD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Noble AJ, Mathieson A, Ridsdale L, Holmes EA, Morgan M, McKinlay A, Dickson JM, Jackson M, Hughes DA, Goodacre S, Marson AG. Developing patient-centred, feasible alternative care for adult emergency department users with epilepsy: protocol for the mixed-methods observational 'Collaborate' project. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e031696. [PMID: 31678950 PMCID: PMC6830638 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emergency department (ED) visits for epilepsy are common, costly, often clinically unnecessary and typically lead to little benefit for epilepsy management. An 'Alternative Care Pathway' (ACP) for epilepsy, which diverts people with epilepsy (PWE) away from ED when '999' is called and leads to care elsewhere, might generate savings and facilitate improved ambulatory care. It is unknown though what features it should incorporate to make it acceptable to persons from this particularly vulnerable target population. It also needs to be National Health Service (NHS) feasible. This project seeks to identify the optimal ACP configuration. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Mixed-methods project comprising three-linked stages. In Stage 1, NHS bodies will be surveyed on ACPs they are considering and semi-structured interviews with PWE and their carers will explore attributes of care important to them and their concerns and expectations regarding ACPs. In Stage 2, Discrete Choice Experiments (DCE) will be completed with PWE and carers to identify the relative importance placed on different care attributes under common seizure scenarios and the trade-offs people are willing to make. The uptake of different ACP configurations will be estimated. In Stage 3, two Knowledge Exchange workshops using a nominal group technique will be run. NHS managers, health professionals, commissioners and patient and carer representatives will discuss DCE results and form a consensus on which ACP configuration best meets users' needs and is NHS feasible. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval: NRES Committee (19/WM/0012) and King's College London ethics Committee (LRS-18/19-10353). Primary output will be identification of optimal ACP configuration which should be prioritised for implementation and evaluation. A pro-active dissemination strategy will make those considering developing or supporting an epilepsy ACP aware of the project and opportunities to take part in it. It will also ensure they are informed of its findings. PROJECT REGISTRATION NUMBER Researchregistry4723.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Noble
- Department of Health Services Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amy Mathieson
- Department of Health Services Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Leone Ridsdale
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - E A Holmes
- Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Myfanwy Morgan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alison McKinlay
- Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jon Mark Dickson
- Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mike Jackson
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Bolton, UK
| | - Dyfrig A Hughes
- Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
- Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Steve Goodacre
- Medical Care Research Unit, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Anthony G Marson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Elliot VL, Morgan D, Kosteniuk J, Froehlich Chow A, Bayly M. Health-related stigma of noncommunicable neurological disease in rural adult populations: A scoping review. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2019; 27:e158-e188. [PMID: 30548727 PMCID: PMC6619253 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Stigma is a widely recognised public health issue. Many people with neurological disease and their families experience stigmatisation, adding to their burden of illness. Rural populations are typically small, lack anonymity, and often have a higher proportion of older adults with inadequate access to specialised services and resources. Although generally isolated, rural areas can offer benefits such as a sense of familiarity and interconnectedness. The purpose of this scoping review was to map the existing evidence on stigma associated with non-communicable neurological disease in rural adult populations and identify key findings and gaps in the literature. Our literature search of peer-reviewed English language articles published from 1 January 1992 to 22 June 2017 was conducted across five databases yielding 8,209 results. After duplicate removal, pairs of reviewers independently screened 6,436 studies according to inclusion criteria developed a priori; 36 articles were identified for inclusion in this review. Study characteristics were described and illustrated by frequency distribution, findings were grouped thematically, and each of the five types of stigma were identified (social, self, health professional, associative, structural). Four factors influencing stigma (knowledge, familiarity, beliefs, and rurality) and four overarching stigma-related themes (concealment; exclusion; disempowerment, discrimination, and unequal opportunities; and issues related to healthcare systems and providers) emerged. In urban-rural comparison studies, rural residents were generally less knowledgeable about the neurological disease and more stigmatised. The impact of other factors (i.e., gender, age, and education) on stigma varied and are stated where associations were reported. Three main gaps were identified including: low attention to stigma related to neurological diseases other than epilepsy, limited cross-cultural comparisons of stigma related to neurological disease, and inclusion of gender as a variable in the analysis of stigma-related outcomes in only half of the reviewed studies. Further research is recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie L. Elliot
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in AgricultureUniversity of SaskatchewanSaskatoonSaskatchewanCanada
| | - Debra Morgan
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in AgricultureUniversity of SaskatchewanSaskatoonSaskatchewanCanada
| | - Julie Kosteniuk
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in AgricultureUniversity of SaskatchewanSaskatoonSaskatchewanCanada
| | - Amanda Froehlich Chow
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in AgricultureUniversity of SaskatchewanSaskatoonSaskatchewanCanada
| | - Melanie Bayly
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in AgricultureUniversity of SaskatchewanSaskatoonSaskatchewanCanada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Male LR, Noble A, Snape DA, Dixon P, Marson T. Perceptions of emergency care using a seizure care pathway for patients presenting to emergency departments in the North West of England following a seizure: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e021246. [PMID: 30269063 PMCID: PMC6169770 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To establish the appropriateness of a previously developed seizure care pathway by exploring to what extent patients valued the intervention and perceived it as being helpful or not. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive study, using semistructured, in-depth interviews and thematic template analysis, theoretically informed by critical realism. SETTING In North West England, a seizure care pathway has been developed in collaboration with a specialist neurology hospital to support clinical management of seizure patients on initial presentation to the emergency department (ED), as well as access to follow-up services on discharge, with the aim of improving patient experience. Three National Health Service (NHS) EDs and a specialist neurology hospital provided the setting for participant recruitment to this study. PARTICIPANTS 181 patients fulfilled the inclusion criterion with 27 participants taking part following their experience of an ED attendance and outpatient follow-up appointment after a seizure. RESULTS Five main themes emerged from the data: decision to seek care, responsiveness of services, waiting and efficiency, information and support, and care continuity. Two integrative themes spanned the whole study: lived experience and communication. This paper reports on two of the main themes: care continuity, and waiting and efficiency. The average time between ED presentation and interview completion was 100 days. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of a care pathway is a complex intervention, requiring long-term follow-up to assess its integration into practice and effectiveness in service improvement. The seizure care pathway has the potential to enhance the care of seizure patients in the ED and at follow-up by improving continuity and management of care. The study demonstrates good aspects of the seizure care pathway as observed by patients and also recognises shortcomings within current service provision and questions what the NHS should and should not be delivering. Our study suggests various ways to enhance the pathway at service level to potentially drive improved patient experience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Rachel Male
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Adam Noble
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Darlene Ann Snape
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Peter Dixon
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Tony Marson
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Page R, Shankar R, McLean BN, Hanna J, Newman C. Digital Care in Epilepsy: A Conceptual Framework for Technological Therapies. Front Neurol 2018; 9:99. [PMID: 29551988 PMCID: PMC5841122 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. The likelihood is significantly greater for those patients with specific risk factors. Identifying those at greatest risk of injury and providing expert management from the earliest opportunity is made more challenging by the circumstances in which many such patients present. Despite increasing recognition of the importance of earlier identification of those at risk, there is little or no improvement in outcomes over more than 30 years. Despite ever increasing sophistication of drug development and delivery, there has been no meaningful improvement in 1-year seizure freedom rates over this time. However, in the last few years, there has been an increase in patient-triggered interventions based on automated monitoring of indicators and risk factors facilitated by technological advances. The opportunities such approaches provide will only be realized if accompanied by current working practice changes. Replacing traditional follow-up appointments at arbitrary intervals with dynamic interventions, remotely and at the point and place of need provides a better chance of a substantial reduction in seizures for people with epilepsy. Properly implemented, electronic platforms can offer new opportunities to provide expert advice and management from first presentation thus improving outcomes. This perspective paper provides and proposes an informed critical opinion built on current evidence base of an outline techno-therapeutic approach to harnesses these technologies. This conceptual framework is generic, rather than tied to a specific product or solution, and the same generalized approach could be beneficially applied to other long-term conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rupert Page
- Dorset Epilepsy Service, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Rohit Shankar
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Truro, United Kingdom.,Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Craig Newman
- Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|