Epilepsy education: a nursing perspective

The nurse-clinician offers a unique perspective in the early education of patients with epilepsy. As part of the health-care team, the nurse assumes an important role in providing comprehensive epilepsy education. Epilepsy may occur at any time throughout life, and age-related needs necessitate ongoing assessment and intervention. The initial approach is to formulate an individualized educational plan of care. Financial, emotional, and cultural concerns should be discussed, and available support systems should be analyzed. The goal of epilepsy education is to provide the patient and family members with the informational tools needed to enhance their knowledge about epilepsy. The nurse can present a formal educational plan and schedule appointments to review the various aspects of self-management and reinforce their importance. Ultimately, this knowledge of epilepsy and the recommended treatment plan can lead to a greater sense of power and control necessary for self-management and an improved quality of life. By creating a foundation of trust with the patient, health-care providers can continue to monitor and manage the seizure disorder to attain optimal patient outcomes. This positive interaction with the health-care team will subsequently influence the patient's lifestyle in a beneficial manner.