Abstract Details

Title Transition from Pediatric to Adult Epilepsy Care: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

Topic Epilepsy/Clinical Neurophysiology (EEG)

Presentation(s) P14 - Poster Session 14 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 12-006

Objective To describe preliminary data from a pilot program for transition of pediatric patients with epilepsy to adult care.

Background There are numerous barriers to successful transition, particularly for those with special needs. After over a decade of effort, widespread implementation of health care transition for youth with special health care needs has not been fully realized.

Design/Methods In collaboration with colleagues regionally and nationally, a pilot program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH) was launched to ensure an effective transition of care (for youth and adolescents) to an adult epilepsy care model. As a part of this initiative, patients were seen in a multi-disciplinary visit by both a pediatric and adult neurologist. Transition readiness was assessed using the Child Neurology Foundation’s Transitions Tools including the Transition Readiness Assessment.

Results A consecutive cohort of 10 patients treated in the transitions clinic was examined. The average patient age was 19 years (min: 15 years, max: 21 years). Patients demonstrated a wide spectrum of ability to participate in medical decision making and care for self. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) were variable with average number of 1.5 AEDs per patient. 4/10 patients (40%) had medically intractable epilepsy. 3/10 patients had a generalized epilepsy syndrome including 2 patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Patients and caregivers who completed a Transition Readiness Assessment (5/10) rated the importance of caring for one’s own health a 9 (average) on a scale of 1 (not important) to 10 (very important) and rated their confidence in caring for self a 6.8 (average) on a scale of 1 to 10.

Conclusions Youth and adolescents with epilepsy have a wide range of abilities and will benefit from an individualized assessment to foster independence and promote medical decision making. The CNF's Transitions Tools are a valuable resource and can assist providers in identifying the needs of individual patients.

Authors/Disclosures
Nassim Zecavati, MD, FAAN (Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University) PRESENTER	Dr. Zecavati has nothing to disclose.
Francis Tirol, MD (Georgetown University Medical Center)	No disclosure on file

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