Patient views on use of emergency and alternative care services for adult epilepsy: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Emergency Department (ED) visits are costly to the health service and alternative care pathways may address this whilst improving outcomes. We aimed to describe decision-making and preferences of people with epilepsy (PWE) during emergency service use, and views of ED alternatives, including use of an Urgent Treatment Centre and telephone-based support from an epilepsy nurse specialist.

Methods

We conducted a community-based interview study in South East England, informed by a qualitative framework approach. 25 adults with epilepsy and 5 of their carers took part.

Results

Participants' choice to attend ED generally corresponded with guidelines, including continuing seizures and injury. Nevertheless, over half reported unwanted or unnecessary ED attendance, mai

SUBMITTER: McKinlay A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7443693 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature