Providing teachers with education on epilepsy increased their willingness to handle acute seizures in children from one to 10 years of age

Dumeier, Henriette Karoline; Neininger, Martina Patrizia; Bernhard, Matthias K.; Merkenschlager, Andreas; Kieß, Wieland; Bertsche, Thilo; Bertsche, Astrid

doi:10.1111/apa.13938

Cited by 31 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The follow up-period after intervention ranged from immediately post intervention 70 to one year follow up 65 . The interventions where described mostly consisted of once-off presentation/workshops.…”

Section: Intervention Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers: A systematic review

Jones

Atkinson

Cross

et al. 2018

Epilepsy & Behavior

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The objective of this study was to systematically review research that has focused on knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers. Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Cochrane library databases from 2000 to 2017 were searched. Cross-sectional and interventional studies were included and analyzed for quality. Thematic analysis was used to identify common themes in the results. Fifty-four eligible studies (17,256 total participants in 27 different countries) were identified in the search period including seven studies that focused on assessing attitudes and knowledge before and after an educational intervention. It was not possible to systematically analyze levels of knowledge and nature of attitudes because of the wide variety of mostly bespoke study specific instruments used. Few studies employed valid and reliable instruments. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes in the results: 1.) deficits in knowledge and negative attitudes were pervasive across all studies; 2.) teachers often had a negative attitude towards participation of children with epilepsy in physical activities/sport; and 3.) teachers often expressed limited knowledge of seizure management/emergency procedures. There was a lower level of knowledge and more negative attitudes among teachers towards epilepsy compared with other conditions. All studies focusing on interventions showed that at least some aspects of knowledge and attitudes improved as a result of teacher participation in an educational intervention, but study quality was universally rated as low. A higher level of education and experience of teaching a child with epilepsy was significantly associated with greater knowledge in a number of studies. Additionally, having experience of teaching a child with epilepsy and greater assessed knowledge of epilepsy were associated with more positive attitudes. The wide range of methods used makes it difficult to generalize regarding level of attitudes and knowledge among teachers towards epilepsy. Nevertheless, all studies indicate that there are some deficits in knowledge of and negative attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers. It would appear that knowledge and attitudes can be improved by educational interventions. Future research should focus on developing psychometrically sound assessment instruments that can be used globally and on identifying the most effective ways of delivering efficacious educational initiatives employing robust study designs.

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Section: Intervention Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers: A systematic review

Jones

Atkinson

Cross

et al. 2018

Epilepsy & Behavior

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“…This may be related to the teachers' professional training regarding health-care. Dumeier et al demonstrated that education may be useful in improving those issues, and the rate of teachers in their survey who would place something solid in a seizing child's mouth decreased from 13-7% after a 40-minute training session [25]. This shows that training on epilepsy knowledge is very useful.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This shows that training on epilepsy knowledge is very useful. In some countries, including Italy [26], Nigeria [27], and Germany [25,28], teachers have been trained on how to handle epileptic episodes, and the results have indicate that carrying out epilepsy knowledge training has a great effect on improving the appropriateness of teachers' rst-aid measures for seizures and their attitudes towards children with epilepsy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The lack of formal and effective training in teacher preparation programs coupled with a lack of continuing education requirements is one possible explanation for these results [31]. Carrying out epilepsy knowledge training with preschool staff can improve their level of rst aid knowledge regarding epilepsy and improve their attitudes towards children with epilepsy [25][26][27][28]. There is an urgent need for effective measures to educate staff on epilepsy and give them training in relevant rst-aid practices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Knowledge and Attitudes Among Preschools Staff in Shanghai, China, Regarding Epilepsy

Qiu

Shen

Wang

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BackgroundEpilepsy is one of the most common neurological problems among children. The aim of this survey was to assess the knowledge and attitude among preschool staff in Shanghai regarding epilepsy.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out among the staff at selected preschools. A stratified random sampling method was first used to identify suitable subjects. Data were obtained using a self-completed questionnaire. A standardized collection of demographic information was performed, and participants were given a questionnaire about their knowledge and attitudes regarding epilepsy.ResultsA total of 1069 subjects completed the questionnaire. In this survey, 387 (36.2%) staff members had previously participated in related training. 17.6% of teachers knew how to provide appropriate first aid for seizures. Correct responses regarding first aid for seizures, such as laying the person on his or her side (24.9%), moving harmful objects out of the way (20.7%), protecting the head (36.1%), waiting until the seizure ends (7.9%), and dialing the emergency number (40.1%), were low. The staff members had different attitudes towards children with epilepsy: Some subjects had a positive attitude, some had a negative attitude.ConclusionsThe level of first-aid knowledge among preschool staff in Shanghai relevant to epilepsy was low. There is an urgent need to educate staff about epilepsy and appropriate first-aid practices for seizures.

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“…Several studies have explored the extent of knowledge and experiences regarding these issues. These have focussed on teachers (Dumeier et al, 2015;2017a;2017b), parents (Lewis et al, 2010;Bertsche et al, 2013;Spindler et al, 2017), patients (Lewis et al, 2010;Bertsche et al, 2013;Spindler et al, 2017), patients (Lewis et al, 2010;Pauschek et al, 2016;Kadel et al, 2018), or the public (Fong and Hung, 2002;Kartal and Akyıldız, 2016;Jansen et al, 2017). A recent study investigated the educational needs of physicians working in paediatric epileptology with emphasis on neurologists and neuropaediatricians (Murray et al, 2018).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Schnabel¹,

Neininger

Bernhard³

et al. 2019

Epileptic Disorders

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Aims : Epilepsy is a life‐changing disease, and patients with epilepsy may face a number of issues. Paediatricians and general practitioners are often the first to be asked for advice. This cross‐sectional study was performed to gain information on the knowledge and experiences of paediatricians and general practitioners on epilepsy. Methods : From September 2015 to July 2017, paediatricians and general practitioners in Leipzig, Germany, were asked to take part in a face‐to‐face interview. Results : Overall, 40 paediatricians and 60 general practitioners participated in the study. A total of 99/100 (99%) kept emergency medication available and 96/100 (96%) would administer it during a seizure. Also, 40/40 (100%) of the paediatricians and 34/60 (57%) of the general practitioners recommended that non‐professionals should administer emergency medication, and 18/40 (45%) of the paediatricians and 35/60 (58%) of the general practitioners would put an object in the patient's mouth during a seizure. With regards to safety precautions, paediatricians mentioned the risks associated with swimming (30/40; 75%) and the potential of falling from a height (23/40; 58%), whereas general practitioners focused on being around vehicles including driving regulations (43/60; 72%). Only 5/60 (8%) of the general practitioners advised that precautions should be taken during swimming. Fatigue/exhaustion was the most common adverse drug event associated with long‐term anticonvulsive therapy mentioned by paediatricians (13/40; 33%) and general practitioners (27/60; 45%). Of all the participants, 23/100 (23%) recommended epilepsy training programmes for patients and families, however, none were able to name a specific programme. Conclusion : Nearly half of the general practitioners did not recommend the use of rescue medication by non‐professionals. This measure, however, can prevent the occurrence of prolonged non‐treatable seizures. Both paediatricians and general practitioners should bear in mind that placing an object in the mouth during a seizure should be avoided due to the risk of additional injury. To reduce the risk of drowning, physicians should recommend safety precautions during swimming. Information on epilepsy training programmes for patients and families should be diffused to all physicians taking care of patients with epilepsy.

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Providing teachers with education on epilepsy increased their willingness to handle acute seizures in children from one to 10 years of age

Abstract: Providing a teaching session on epilepsy increased the teachers' knowledge and willingness to act and reduced obsolete, counterproductive measures.

Cited by 31 publications

References 25 publications

Knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers: A systematic review

Knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers: A systematic review

Knowledge and Attitudes Among Preschools Staff in Shanghai, China, Regarding Epilepsy

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

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