Comparison of knowledge and awareness of epilepsy between medical students of two universities in Poland

Marta Pietruszka; Kamil Dzwilewski; Marta Frydrych; Magdalena Michalik; Przemysław Waszak; Marta Zawadzka; Maria Mazurkiewicz-Bełdzińska

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109386

Comparison of knowledge and awareness of epilepsy between medical students of two universities in Poland

Epilepsy Behav. 2023 Oct:147:109386. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109386. Epub 2023 Aug 22.

Authors

Marta Pietruszka¹, Kamil Dzwilewski², Marta Frydrych³, Magdalena Michalik³, Przemysław Waszak⁴, Marta Zawadzka², Maria Mazurkiewicz-Bełdzińska²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Child Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 63A, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: mpietruszka@uck.gda.pl.
² Department of Developmental Neurology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland.
³ Department of Child Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 63A, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland.
⁴ Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Developmental Psychiatry, Psychotic and Geriatric Disorders, Dębinki 7, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland.

PMID: 37619463
DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109386

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. As a chronic disease, associated with long-term treatment with antiseizure medication, it can have a negative impact on patients' quality of life. Moreover, patients are faced with a significant psychosocial burden associated with the stigma surrounding epilepsy. Medical professionals should be well educated and free of prejudices in order to provide adequate care for patients with epilepsy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of epilepsy among medical students of years 1-6 in Poland and examine if certain personality traits influence students' view of epilepsy.

Methods: The study was conducted using snowball sampling of 166 Polish medical students from Medical University of Gdansk and Medical University of Warsaw. Participants completed a survey which consisted of their subjective assessment of knowledge of epileptology, actual knowledge of epileptology, and their view of stereotypes about epilepsy. In addition, students completed the IPIP-BFM-20 personality questionnaire.

Results: Polish medical students have sufficient basic knowledge about epilepsy (mean scores of students from both universities is 14 out of 25 points). There is still room for improvement, especially in the field of epidemiology, semiology, factors provoking seizures, antiseizure medications, and most importantly about first aid during seizure (e.g., 7% of respondents believed it is necessary to put something between teeth of a patient during seizure). Age and the year of study were well correlated with knowledge score (p = 0.008) and level of awareness of the stereotypes. We found that most personality traits do not have a strong impact on the level of knowledge about epilepsy.

Conclusions: Most students have a satisfying level of knowledge about epilepsy. Academic teachers should put more emphasis on first aid during seizures and awareness of psychosocial challenges associated with the disease. It is crucial for future physicians to not only possess sufficient theoretical knowledge, but also establish an empathetic doctor-patient relationship in order to provide better care for patients with epilepsy and other chronic diseases.

Keywords: Attitude; Awareness; Epilepsy; Knowledge; Medical students; Poland.