To report epilepsy self-management and self-efficacy skills in EMU population

Validated epilepsy self-management and self-efficacy scales have been studied mainly in outpatient setting. However, these scales have not studied in inpatient setting of epilepsy monitoring unit. Typically, the patients with epilepsy who come to EMU tend to have more severe and refractory seizures.

Consecutive 48 EMU patients were surveyed for Epilepsy Self-Management (ESM) of 38 items and Epilepsy Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) of 33 items as part of routine psychosocial screen by an epilepsy social worker from March 2019 till August 2019 in UNC EMU which is a NAEC level 4 epilepsy center. 

The summated mean (SD) scores of total ESM in UNC EMU is 105 (12) while previously reported outpatient data from University of Florida (UF) showed mean score of 144. The item mean (SD)  scores of medication management, information management, safety management, seizure management, lifestyle management in UNC EMU are 2.34 (0.35), 2.36 (0.75), 2.42 (0.38), 4.26 (0.6), 3.01 (0.76) while mean item scores of each from UF are 4.43, 2.65, 4.15, 4.31, and 3.1. The item mean (SD) scores of ESM in UNC EMU shows 2.78 (0.32) while previously reported outpatient data from two epilepsy centers in Atlanta and Boston showed 3.78 (0.38).

The item mean (SD) scores of ESES from UNC EMU show 6.80 (1.40) while previously reported outpatient data from two epilepsy centers in Atlanta and Boston showed 7.91 (1.29).

Our inpatient EMU population appear to have lower ESM and ESES compared to the previously reported outpatient data from three other institutions. Especially, medication management and safety management appear to be much worse. Our findings shows a need of further patient and family education and support to improve self-management and self-efficacy skills in EMU.