Measures for improving treatment outcomes for patients with epilepsy — Results from a large multinational patient-physician survey

“…There are studies supporting better seizure control when patients are seen by epileptologists at specialty care centers, yet only about half of all patients have seen a neurologist in the previous year [3,4]. Treatment choices are largely driven by efficacy, safety, and the physician's prior experience with an AED [5]. One possible reason for inadequate seizure control may be AED choice guided by a perception that first-generation drugs -those available before 1993 -and second-generation drugs -those that became available from 1993 until September, 2011-equivalent in terms of efficacy, though the newer drugs may have advantages in terms of pharmacokinetics and side effects [6].…”

“…In a nutshell, the significant developments in medical science are not sufficient to answer epilepsy therapy-related questions from laypeople 20. This is because multiple behavioural, cultural and social factors are associated with this disease 18…”

“…Monitoring and follow-up of anti-epileptic treatment is an important issue of the patient–therapist journey (Groenewegen et al, 2014). These authors concluded their multinational patient–physician survey with the statement that successful treatment depends on communication over the long-term.…”