Development of a support intervention model for epilepsy care in outpatient clinics

There is limited knowledge of how to provide sufficient support to meet the specific needs of people with epilepsy (PWE) in outpatient care. This study aimed to explore facilitating and challenging aspects in outpatient epilepsy care from the dual perspective of PWE and their healthcare professionals and utilise these findings to develop a tailored support intervention model. An abductive qualitative content analysis was conducted to examine interviews with a total of 30 PWE and healthcare professionals, including both focus group and individual interviews. The results highlight challenging aspects through sociodemographic difficulties, psychological issues and organisational deficiencies. Personalised multidisciplinary support, tailored information and optimised conditions for healthcare contact facilitate participation in care and enhance self-management of epilepsy. In the organisation of epilepsy care, challenging and facilitating aspects were found on a macro-, meso-, and micro level. This was visualized by the support intervention model to draw attention to where interventions could be targeted and implemented in outpatient care. Key components of such interventions include the implementation of screening questionnaires to identify vulnerable patients requiring focused attention and development of nurse-led interventions grounded in the core principles of person-centred care.