Nursing in epilepsy care: Roles, value, and the road ahead

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Nurses have been called the "glue" of epilepsy care, but their value and impact aren't always appreciated. The ILAE Nursing Section welcomes nurses from every country to help advocate for a better understanding of what nurses do, how their care improves outcomes in people with epilepsy, and how nurses can contribute to the goals of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan for Epilepsy and other Neurological Diseases (IGAP).

Support from epilepsy clinicians and researchers is vital. Epigraph spoke with Nursing Section leaders Karen Legg, Patty Osborne Shafer, and Jane von Gaudecker about the roles and responsibilities of epilepsy nurses, and how clinicians can support them.

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Research links:

Nurse-led care for epilepsy at the primary level in a rural health district in Cameroon (2008 - Kengne AP et al., Epilepsia)

Patients with epilepsy care experiences: Comparison between services with and without an epilepsy specialist nurse (2018 - Higgins A et al., Epilepsy & Behavior)

Epilepsy Specialist Nurses: The Evidence (the ESPENTE study) (2019 - Campbell F et al.)

Benefits of the epilepsy specialty nurse role, standardized practices and education around the world (2019 - Prevos-Morgant M et al, Revue Neurologique)

 A 2022 report by Epilepsy Consortium Scotland that highlights the importance of epilepsy nurse services during the pandemic


This episode was reported, edited, and produced by Nancy Volkers.

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Sharp Waves content is meant for informational purposes only and not as medical or clinical advice.

Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.

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The International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.