: A simple ‘survival tool’ is being prescribed by doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where stress is being laid on acquiring information on epilepsy in addition to providing the patient an emergency card, which has details such as the name of the doctor and two ‘emergency medicines to be used during seizures’.
They recently published a survey on the “Impact of health education on drug adherence and self-care in people with epilepsy with low education”.
“Our study has now proved that there is a positive impact of a structured educational programme in improving drug adherence in a group of people with epilepsy with low educational background,” said Manjari Tripathi from the Department of Neurology, AIIMS. She is also the principle investigator of the research .
Speaking about the management of persons with epilepsy at AIIMS, she said: “As part of this study, a nurse would provide health education in a structured manner to patients. The verbal and written educational material was provided to them during the treatment course and the education was tailor-made for every individual patient. We realized that those who received this education input were positively benefitted. They not only stuck to their medicine routine better but also enjoyed a better quality of life.”
This social, psychological and health educational support was provided to the patients at AIIMS and is now part of patient management exercise. “This value added service is provided by a social worker and a nurse, and works well to empower patients to lead life in a positive frame of mind.”
Doctors at AIIMS are now also strongly advocating for an ‘emergency card’. “This should have patients’ name, address, phone as well as the treating doctor’s name and phone number. Besides this, there are two emergency medicines (one to be administered through the nose and another can be put below the lip or tongue and can be absorbed into the body). Instructions are also given on the medicine packs on how to administer the medicine,” she said.
‘Education and knowledge that a seizure can be handled is empowering’
