Evaluating the Implementation of a Pharmacist-Driven Epilepsy Telehealth Education Program in an Epilepsy Specialty Clini
by Magdalena M. Siodlak, PharmD, BCACP, Barry E. Gidal, PharmD, Stephanie Hunter-Banks, PharmD, Judith Thompson, PharmD, MPH, Robert J. Kotloski, MD, PhD, Amanda Margolis, PharmD
Objective: In patients with epilepsy, disease self-management skills may improve seizure control, quality of life, and medication adherence. A patient education and adherence program was developed to empower patients to manage their epilepsy. This pilot assessed the feasibility of implementing the five-module educational book series (Exploring Epilepsy) as a pharmacist-driven telehealth program in an ambulatory care epilepsy clinic and its effect on clinical outcomes.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of patients was enrolled at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital Epilepsy Clinic in Madison, WI. A study pharmacist scheduled and conducted five telephone encounters to review the educational modules. Clinical assessments compared baseline to 3 months post-intervention: Epilepsy Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (ESMS), Patient Weighted Quality of Life in Epilepsy inventory-10 (QOLIE-10-P), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory in Epilepsy (NDDI-E), and a modified Patient-Physician Interactions survey.
Results: Twenty patients were enrolled; 14 (70%) completed the five- module series. Appointments lasted on average 25±9 minutes. There were no statistically significant differences in ESES, ESMS, QOLIE-10-P, GAD- 7, nor NDDI-E (n=10). All participants completing assessments found the facilitator helpful. At least 70% of patients reported improved comfort in discussing epilepsy and understanding various self-management aspects of epilepsy.
Conclusion: Implementation of this epilepsy education program is feasible in a clinic setting. Patients reported high satisfaction with the service and endorsed enhanced understanding of self-management strategies. Although there were no statistical improvements in clinical questionnaires, the small sample size is not powered to detect clinically significant differences. Future investigations could consider organizing the program in a group setting to facilitate peer support and discussion.
Keywords: Quality of Life, Patient Health Questionnaire, Pharmacists, Veterans, Depression, Epilepsy, Feasibility Studies, Prospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Personal Satisfaction, Telemedicine, Physicians, Anxiety
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2023 May/June Table of Contents
Objective: In patients with epilepsy, disease self-management skills may improve seizure control, quality of life, and medication adherence. A patient education and adherence program was developed to empower patients to manage their epilepsy. This pilot assessed the feasibility of implementing the five-module educational book series (Exploring Epilepsy) as a pharmacist-driven telehealth program in an ambulatory care epilepsy clinic and its effect on clinical outcomes.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of patients was enrolled at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital Epilepsy Clinic in Madison, WI. A study pharmacist scheduled and conducted five telephone encounters to review the educational modules. Clinical assessments compared baseline to 3 months post-intervention: Epilepsy Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (ESMS), Patient Weighted Quality of Life in Epilepsy inventory-10 (QOLIE-10-P), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory in Epilepsy (NDDI-E), and a modified Patient-Physician Interactions survey.
Results: Twenty patients were enrolled; 14 (70%) completed the five- module series. Appointments lasted on average 25±9 minutes. There were no statistically significant differences in ESES, ESMS, QOLIE-10-P, GAD- 7, nor NDDI-E (n=10). All participants completing assessments found the facilitator helpful. At least 70% of patients reported improved comfort in discussing epilepsy and understanding various self-management aspects of epilepsy.
Conclusion: Implementation of this epilepsy education program is feasible in a clinic setting. Patients reported high satisfaction with the service and endorsed enhanced understanding of self-management strategies. Although there were no statistical improvements in clinical questionnaires, the small sample size is not powered to detect clinically significant differences. Future investigations could consider organizing the program in a group setting to facilitate peer support and discussion.
Keywords: Quality of Life, Patient Health Questionnaire, Pharmacists, Veterans, Depression, Epilepsy, Feasibility Studies, Prospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Personal Satisfaction, Telemedicine, Physicians, Anxiety
Download PDF
2023 May/June Table of Contents