Capability, opportunity and motivation for shared decision-making about valproate as an antiseizure medication treatment for epilepsy in women with pregnancy potential: A qualitative study of patient perspectives.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Valproate is a highly effective antiseizure medication but carries significant teratogenic and neurodevelopmental risks to offspring if used during pregnancy. A shared decision-making (SDM) approach is recommended to guide clinician/patient discussions on valproate suitability for women with pregnancy potential. This study applied the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) theoretical framework to explore barriers and facilitators to SDM in valproate prescribing from the perspectives of women with epilepsy who have pregnancy potential.

Design

Qualitative study using timeline-facilitated semi-structured interviews informed by the COM-B model.

Method

Twelve UK-based women 18-50 years (M_age = 33.3, SD = 7.59) prescribed valproate were

SUBMITTER: Griffiths SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12717438 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature