How to successfully establish an epilepsy care center in resource-limited countries: A scoping systematic review

The aim of the current study was to systematically review the literature on establishing epilepsy care centers in resource-limited nations in the world and to provide a comprehensive roadmap on this significantly needed endeavor. This work may provide guidance on how to develop an epilepsy care center in other resource-limited places in the world.

Web of science, Science Direct, and MEDLINE (accessed from PubMed) from inception to March 2023 were systematically searched for relevant published manuscripts. In all electronic databases, the following search strategy was implemented and these key words were used (title/abstract): epilepsy AND resource. The inclusion criteria were all original studies and articles written in English.

We could identify nine manuscripts on how to successfully establish an epilepsy care center in resource-limited countries. Two models were identified for such an endeavor: developing a team of trained healthcare professionals (e.g., in Iran, India, China, Vietnam) or a twin affiliation between an advanced epilepsy surgery program in a developed country and a starting program in a developing country (e.g., in Georgia, Tunisia).

In order to successfully establish an epilepsy care center in resource-limited countries four pillars are needed: presence of skillful healthcare professionals, having access to basic investigative technologies (i.e., MRI and EEG), a careful planning, and raising awareness.