Medscape: How primary care doctors can contribute to epilepsy care
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that while 89% of patients with epilepsy reported seeing a physician in the past year about their condition, only 62% saw a neurologist or seizure specialist.
With demand for neurologists projected to exceed supply in 41 states by 2025, primary care providers are well-positioned to help fill the gap and assist in the management of patients with seizure disorders.
In an article about primary care physicians' expanding role in epilepsy management, Medscape highlighted Project ECHO, a training program piloted at the University of Cincinnati designed to train primary care providers in epilepsy management.
Through Zoom, experts like Michael Privitera, MD, professor and division chief for epilepsy in UC's College of Medicine, train primary care providers across the country through monthly hour-long Zoom sessions.
According to research Privitera and colleagues published in Epilepsy & Behavior, 98% of participants reported greater interest and comfort in epilepsy treatment after participating in the pilot portion of the training from 2017-2019.
Featured photo at top of Michael Privitera, MD, speaking with a patient. Photo courtesy of UC Health.
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