Patients' opinions: having a say in epilepsy service provision down under

A patient-centred study of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Service at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in South Australia was conducted to establish patients' satisfaction with service delivery and the Service's effectiveness in epilepsy management. The aim of the study was to determine accurate information regarding the Service and the people who use it, their priorities and satisfaction with service provision. Self administered questionnaires of 200 patients with epilepsy were analysed with results showing that patients rated availability of doctor at time of need, diagnosis of epilepsy and prescription of antiepileptic drugs important in the management of epilepsy. Generally, patients were satisfied with the Service, but considered a separate clinic for epilepsy essential for effective service provision. The study assisted in the future provision of optimal patient care based on the needs and expectations of people with epilepsy.