Evaluation of a multidisciplinary epilepsy transition clinic for adolescents

R P J Geerlings; A P Aldenkamp; L M C Gottmer-Welschen; P H N de With; S Zinger; A L van Staa; A J A de Louw

doi:10.1016/j.ejpn.2016.01.003

Evaluation of a multidisciplinary epilepsy transition clinic for adolescents

Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2016 May;20(3):385-92. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2016.01.003. Epub 2016 Jan 13.

Authors

R P J Geerlings¹, A P Aldenkamp², L M C Gottmer-Welschen³, P H N de With⁴, S Zinger⁵, A L van Staa⁶, A J A de Louw⁷

Affiliations

¹ Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, The Netherlands. Electronic address: GeerlingsR@Kempenhaeghe.nl.
² Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, The Netherlands; Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Hospital, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. Electronic address: AldenkampB@Kempenhaeghe.nl.
³ Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, The Netherlands. Electronic address: GottmerL@Kempenhaeghe.nl.
⁴ Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Electronic address: P.H.N.de.With@tue.nl.
⁵ Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Electronic address: ZingerS@Kempenhaeghe.nl.
⁶ Institute of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Research Centre Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.van.staa@hr.nl.
⁷ Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, The Netherlands; Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Electronic address: LouwA@Kempenhaeghe.nl.

PMID: 26818400
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2016.01.003

Abstract

Introduction: The main goal of the transition clinic is to explore and optimize medical issues during transition from adolescence to adulthood, and to ease the transition into adult care. However, only limited data on the process and outcomes of transitional care in clinical practice are available.

Objective: To describe the process and outcomes of an Epilepsy Transition Clinic in a tertiary referral center in The Netherlands.

Methods: Data were collected from patients with epilepsy (aged 15-25 years), who visited the transition clinic between March 2012 and September 2014.

Results: The Epilepsy Transition Clinic is staffed with a multidisciplinary team including a neurologist/epileptologist, clinical neuropsychologist, a social worker and an educationalist/occupational counselor, all with knowledge of paediatric and adult medical and developmental issues. In total, 117 patients with epilepsy were included in the analysis. After consultation, 89 patients received a diagnostic work-up (76.1%), change in AED prescription (n = 64, 54.7%), or consultation/tailored advice (n = 73, 62.4%). In fourteen patients (12.0%) the epilepsy diagnosis was changed. Nineteen patients (16.2%) had complete epilepsy remission for over one year. Forty-three patients (36.8%) were referred to adult care.

Conclusion: This study describes a multidisciplinary epilepsy transition clinic staffed by a neurologist/epileptologist, neuropsychologist, a social worker and an educationalist/occupational counselor. Diagnostic work-up and evaluation of psychosocial and educational/vocational status during adolescence are strongly recommended.

Keywords: Adolescence; Epilepsy transition clinic; Psychosocial; Transition to adult care.

Publication types

Evaluation Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Epilepsy / diagnosis*
Epilepsy / therapy*
Female
Hospitals, Special / standards*
Humans
Male
Netherlands
Transition to Adult Care / standards*
Young Adult