RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and viability of individual epilepsy guidelines as a user-friendly tool for carers of people with epilepsy and learning disabilities. In this paper the term carer refers to family carers and support workers. METHOD: A retrospective survey questionnaire designed to ascertain the effectiveness and feasibility of individual epilepsy guidelines as a user-friendly tool. This was evaluated for examining clinical practice improvements and service delivery. RESULTS: 44 questionnaires were mailed to carers who were supporting individuals with epilepsy. There was an overall response of 42(96%). CONCLUSION: This survey indicates that the IEG was a useful resource assisting carers with the management of emergency seizure events in the community.
Assuntos
Cuidadores , Serviços de Saúde Comunitária/normas , Coleta de Dados , Epilepsia/terapia , Guias como Assunto/normas , Individualidade , Serviços de Saúde Comunitária/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosAssuntos
Hospitalização , Deficiência Intelectual/enfermagem , Deficiências da Aprendizagem/enfermagem , Enfermeiros Clínicos/organização & administração , Papel do Profissional de Enfermagem , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Medicina Estatal/organização & administração , Reino UnidoRESUMO
PURPOSE: People with epilepsy are at risk of injury, and protection from potential dangers must be balanced against the need for autonomy. We developed an epilepsy risk awareness checklist (ERAC) as a tool to assess potential risks of epilepsy and related injuries, aiming to improve management strategies. It was designed for use by specialist nurses (in learning disability and epilepsy), as there was no existing tool for this. This study refined and tested this checklist in patients with epilepsy and learning disability in a range of community settings. METHOD: We used quantitative and qualitative measures to devise and revise the tool. Eleven qualified learning disability nurses completed the ERAC in three patients each (33 patients) using a purposive sampling method. They provided quantitative and qualitative feedback through questionnaires and interviews, and an expert panel reviewed and commented on the checklist. RESULTS: The checklist was revised through the evaluation process. All eleven nurses concluded that they would use the tool again. CONCLUSION: The epilepsy risk awareness checklist (ERAC) provides a measure of risk, and this study suggests that it is a useful tool in the care of people with learning disability and epilepsy. A larger scale study is planned.