An epilepsy workshop for professionals

This experimental study evaluated the impact of an epilepsy workshop format designed for community professionals who may be involved in the treatment plan and follow-up of patients. The goals of the workshop were to increase the professional's knowledge and comfort in the presence of epilepsy and to effect better delivery of services to patients. To achieve this, a didactic approach to learning was modified to include patient contact and participant involvement in the learning process. A pre- and posttest experimental design was utilized. Those who attended the workshop improved significantly more than the two control groups in their knowledge of and comfort with epilepsy. Following the workshop, there was a marked increase in the referral of school children for possible neurological problems by teachers who had attended. There was a subsequent improvement in the delivery of health care services to such children in this county.