Epilepsy for primary health care: a cost‐effective Latin American E‐learning initiative

Abstract

Aims. A lack of neurologists in Latin America forces primary health care providers to manage epilepsy. With the main goal of improving diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with epilepsy through training of physicians in the primary health care level, the International League Against Epilepsy Education Commission (2013-2017) created a lowcost, regional, virtual course. Methods. The course, set-up in Moodle platform, was structured in eight modules, each lasting for a week. Teaching was based on written didactic material, videos, and interactive discussions, both in Spanish and Portuguese. Topics included epidemiology, diagnosis, classification, treatment, prognosis, social issues, and epilepsy policies. Each course was limited to 50 participants and priority was given to general practitioners. Certification was given to those approving the final examination. Results. Since 2015, five courses have been developed, involving 143 participants from 17 countries and 21 tutors. Of the participants, 61% worked in primary health care services. A total of 129 participants (90%) completed the course, and 110 submitted the final examination with an approval rate of 95%. From 85 participants completing the course evaluation, 98% would recommend the course to other colleagues, and 99% showed interest in taking other similar courses. High self-confidence for the management of patients with epilepsy increased from 21% at baseline to 73% after the course.Conclusions. The online course on epilepsy for primary care physicians in Latin America was shown to be a cost-effective course, with good retention and excellent approval rates. Our current challenges include periodic updating, complete self-sustainability, and exploring different strategies to reach our target audience more effectively.

Epilepsy: a cross‐sectional study of paediatricians and general practitioners on their experiences, knowledge and handling of the disease

“…Our study indicates that training programmes for patients and families should be diffused more actively. For example, because lack of neurologists in Latin America forces primary health care providers to manage epilepsy the International League Against Epilepsy Education Commission (2013-2017) created a lowcost, regional, virtual course with the main goal of improving diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with epilepsy through training of physicians in the primary health care level (Carrizosa et al, 2018). We believe that the data presented here will contribute to improved medical care and safety for patients diagnosed with epilepsy, as well as the interaction between patients and their physicians, in order to save the lives of people with epilepsy and increase their quality of life.…”

Exploring the Role of Pediatric Neurology in Determinations of Futility, Identifying Vulnerability, and Participating in Shared Decision Making through Case-Based Analysis

“…The working groups', Epilepsy Virtual Education in Latin America (EVELA) and the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE), education commission promoted a virtual education initiative to enhance knowledge on epilepsy for physicians working at the first level of care. 17 They developed five courses, in Spanish and Portuguese, between 2015 and 2018 with participants from 17 different countries in Latin America. Of the 143 students enrolled, 105 (73%) were able to complete the course and pass the final exam.…”

The ILAE at 110—Reflections on the last decade

“…The League has increased financial support for courses through its Regional Commissions; highly successful ILAE courses are offered around the world in a recursive manner, with standard content, and focusing on specific topics such as neuropathology, neuropsychology, and neuroimaging. Moreover, ILAE Regional courses on primary care are thriving, and online teaching is systematically implemented and evaluated …”