Epilepsy surgery education and practice around the globe: An ILAE taskforce report.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Epileptology
• Global Health

Background:

• Epilepsy affects 80% of the global population, with many in low-income countries experiencing drug-resistant forms.
• Epilepsy surgery offers a viable treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy, but access is hindered by a scarcity of specialized units and neurosurgeons.
• The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) established the Epilepsy Surgery Education Taskforce to address educational gaps and promote unit development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the global distribution and experience of neurosurgeons performing epilepsy surgery.
• To analyze the educational pathways and resource availability for epilepsy surgeons worldwide.
• To assess the perceived need for enhanced epilepsy surgery education and training.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a web-based international survey targeting neurosurgeons involved in epilepsy surgery.
• Collected data on surgeon demographics, training, experience, and opinions on education and resources.
• Analyzed 202 responses from 35 countries across six continents.

Main Results:

• Identified significant disparities in the availability of epilepsy surgery units, particularly noting a lack in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Gathered insights into the educational backgrounds and current practices of neurosurgeons performing epilepsy surgery.
• Highlighted varying levels of access to necessary resources and training opportunities globally.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need to expand epilepsy surgery services and training programs, especially in underserved regions.
• The ILAE Epilepsy Surgery Education Taskforce aims to improve global access to epilepsy surgery and enhance healthcare provider training.
• Addressing the geographical and resource-based inequities in epilepsy surgery is essential for patient care.