New Survey from SK Life Science Highlights Communication Gaps in Epilepsy Care and Its Consequences
November brings National Epilepsy Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on a condition that affects about 3.4 million people in the United States. As the observance commences, new survey data collected by SK Life Science, Inc. reveals alarming communication discrepancies between epilepsy patients and their healthcare providers. The survey titled "Hope, Hesitancy, and Hard Truths: A Patient and Provider Perspective on Epilepsy Treatment" sheds light on how these gaps can significantly affect treatment outcomes.
According to the survey, almost 75% of epilepsy patients admitted that they do not report all their seizures to their doctors. This behavior is concerning as it points to a lack of trust and effective communication during the treatment dialogue. Patients express fear that sharing more about their seizures could lead to a loss of independence or because they don’t perceive some of their seizures as "significant" enough to mention.
Among the survey participants were 500 individuals living with epilepsy and 450 U.S. healthcare providers, including neurologists and advanced practice providers. The findings paint a complex picture: while 89% of patients expressed a willingness to discuss medication switching for better seizure control, 88% of doctors reported facing resistance from patients regarding this topic, often driven by fears over side effects, cost, and uncertainty about the benefits of switching therapies.
The disconnect doesn't stop there. In regard to conversations about SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), 88% of doctors reported that they discussed this grave risk with their patients, yet only 63% of patients recalled such discussions taking place. Alarmingly, nearly 20% of patients with daily seizures had no prior knowledge of SUDEP, the leading cause of death among individuals with uncontrolled seizures. This underlines the imperative for increasing awareness and communication around this serious topic.
Dr. Pavel Klein, a neurologist, emphasized that effective epilepsy care is much more than simply administering medications. It requires continuous dialogue, trust, and joint decision-making between healthcare providers and their patients. With the high degree of uncertainty that patients feel about reporting seizures or achieving freedom from them, it's essential for healthcare professionals to rethink their engagement strategies.
Epilepsy, the fourth most common neurological disorder, poses various daily challenges for those living with it. Each year, 150,000 new cases emerge. Despite having various antiepileptic therapies available, about one-third of patients continue to grapple with uncontrolled seizure activity. The aftershocks of living with epilepsy have broader implications, leading to risks not only for physical accidents and injuries but also for mental health issues such as depression.
SK Life Science’s commitment to bridging these communication gaps underscores its dedication to improving the care pathways for individuals with epilepsy. Sunita Misra, Vice President of Global Clinical Development at SK Life Science, voiced a firm resolution to listen closely to both patients’ and providers’ perspectives in order to cultivate safer and more empowering treatment conversations. The hope is that through addressing these critical communication hurdles, healthcare providers can better fulfill their role in enhancing patient outcomes through a more shared understanding of treatment approaches.
This survey acts as a beacon guiding healthcare professionals and patients toward the path of improved communication, ultimately aiming to lessen stigma and enhance the overall quality of care for the millions of people affected by epilepsy. To access the complete survey report, you can visit the official SK Life Science website and take a dive into the findings that could guide transformative conversations in epilepsy care.
According to the survey, almost 75% of epilepsy patients admitted that they do not report all their seizures to their doctors. This behavior is concerning as it points to a lack of trust and effective communication during the treatment dialogue. Patients express fear that sharing more about their seizures could lead to a loss of independence or because they don’t perceive some of their seizures as "significant" enough to mention.
Among the survey participants were 500 individuals living with epilepsy and 450 U.S. healthcare providers, including neurologists and advanced practice providers. The findings paint a complex picture: while 89% of patients expressed a willingness to discuss medication switching for better seizure control, 88% of doctors reported facing resistance from patients regarding this topic, often driven by fears over side effects, cost, and uncertainty about the benefits of switching therapies.
The disconnect doesn't stop there. In regard to conversations about SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), 88% of doctors reported that they discussed this grave risk with their patients, yet only 63% of patients recalled such discussions taking place. Alarmingly, nearly 20% of patients with daily seizures had no prior knowledge of SUDEP, the leading cause of death among individuals with uncontrolled seizures. This underlines the imperative for increasing awareness and communication around this serious topic.
Dr. Pavel Klein, a neurologist, emphasized that effective epilepsy care is much more than simply administering medications. It requires continuous dialogue, trust, and joint decision-making between healthcare providers and their patients. With the high degree of uncertainty that patients feel about reporting seizures or achieving freedom from them, it's essential for healthcare professionals to rethink their engagement strategies.
Epilepsy, the fourth most common neurological disorder, poses various daily challenges for those living with it. Each year, 150,000 new cases emerge. Despite having various antiepileptic therapies available, about one-third of patients continue to grapple with uncontrolled seizure activity. The aftershocks of living with epilepsy have broader implications, leading to risks not only for physical accidents and injuries but also for mental health issues such as depression.
SK Life Science’s commitment to bridging these communication gaps underscores its dedication to improving the care pathways for individuals with epilepsy. Sunita Misra, Vice President of Global Clinical Development at SK Life Science, voiced a firm resolution to listen closely to both patients’ and providers’ perspectives in order to cultivate safer and more empowering treatment conversations. The hope is that through addressing these critical communication hurdles, healthcare providers can better fulfill their role in enhancing patient outcomes through a more shared understanding of treatment approaches.
This survey acts as a beacon guiding healthcare professionals and patients toward the path of improved communication, ultimately aiming to lessen stigma and enhance the overall quality of care for the millions of people affected by epilepsy. To access the complete survey report, you can visit the official SK Life Science website and take a dive into the findings that could guide transformative conversations in epilepsy care.
Topics Health）
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