Preparing for epilepsy surgery

Preparation for epilepsy surgery should assure that both patient and supporters understand the diagnostic and surgical procedures undertaken. Also essential is consideration of psychosocial concerns. This can be done by integrating discussions of psychosocial issues with evaluations of emotional readiness for surgery as part of a pre-surgical education programme. A programme developed by an epilepsy nurse specialist at a Comprehensive Epilepsy Program addresses these issues. It is a staged process and parallels the patient/supporter's progress through the steps necessary before a surgical option is offered. At each stage while information is presented an evaluation of emotional state and expressed/implied concerns is carried out. The goal is to assure that both patient and supporter understand the procedures and are comfortable in their decision to accept the elective procedure offered. This article will identify these expressed/implied concerns and describe the support programme which addresses them. In addition it will attempt to assist people contemplating epilepsy surgery in their preparation for the process.