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Evaluating the Current State of Epilepsy Care in the Province of Ontario

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2024

Christine Van Winssen Open the ORCID record for Christine Van Winssen [Opens in a new window] ,
Andrea V. Andrade ,
Danielle M. Andrade Open the ORCID record for Danielle M. Andrade [Opens in a new window] ,
Jorge G. Burneo Open the ORCID record for Jorge G. Burneo [Opens in a new window] ,
Sandrine de Ribaupierre ,
Elizabeth Donner Open the ORCID record for Elizabeth Donner [Opens in a new window] ,
Ayman Hassan ,
George Ibrahim ,
Kevin C. Jones Open the ORCID record for Kevin C. Jones [Opens in a new window]  and
Lysa Boissé Lomax
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Christine Van Winssen
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa & The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Andrea V. Andrade
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
Danielle M. Andrade
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Jorge G. Burneo
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
Sandrine de Ribaupierre
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
Elizabeth Donner
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Ayman Hassan
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
George Ibrahim
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Kevin C. Jones
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Lysa Boissé Lomax
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Queen’s University & Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
Katherine Muir
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Maryam N. Nouri
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
Nikki Porter
Affiliation:
Epilepsy Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Rajesh Ramachandrannair
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Paul Raymond
Affiliation:
Epilepsy Ontario, Markham, ON, Canada
James Rutka
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Michelle J. Shapiro
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
David A. Steven
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
Darryl Swain
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Taufik Valiante
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Sharon Whiting
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Robyn Whitney
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Ivanna Yau
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Tadeu A. Fantaneanu*
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa & The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
*
Corresponding author: T. A. Fantaneanu; Email: tfantaneanu@toh.ca
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Abstract:

There are numerous challenges pertaining to epilepsy care across Ontario, including Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) bed pressures, surgical access and community supports. We sampled the current clinical, community and operational state of Ontario epilepsy centres and community epilepsy agencies post COVID-19 pandemic. A 44-item survey was distributed to all 11 district and regional adult and paediatric Ontario epilepsy centres. Qualitative responses were collected from community epilepsy agencies. Results revealed ongoing gaps in epilepsy care across Ontario, with EMU bed pressures and labour shortages being limiting factors. A clinical network advising the Ontario Ministry of Health will improve access to epilepsy care.

Résumé :

RÉSUMÉ :

Évaluer l’état actuel des soins destinés à l’épilepsie dans la province de l’Ontario.

Les soins de l’épilepsie offerts en Ontario font face à de nombreux défis liés notamment à la pression sur les lits des services d’urgence, à l’accès aux chirurgies et aux soutiens offerts au sein des communautés. Nous avons donc cherché à étudier l’état clinique, communautaire et opérationnel actuel des centres de soins et des agences communautaires de l’épilepsie de l’Ontario à la suite de la pandémie de COVID-19. Ainsi, un sondage comportant 44 questions a été distribué aux 11 centres d’épilepsie adultes et pédiatriques des régions et districts de cette province. Des réponses de nature qualitative ont été par ailleurs recueillies auprès des agences communautaires de l’épilepsie. Nos résultats ont révélé des lacunes persistantes dans les soins destinés à cette maladie, la pression sur les lits des services d’urgence, de même que la pénurie de main-d’œuvre, étant des facteurs limitants. Enfin, un réseau clinique conseillant le ministère de la Santé de l’Ontario améliorera l’accès aux soins de l’épilepsie.

Keywords

epilepsyepilepsy surgery
Type
Brief Communication
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , First View , pp. 1 - 3
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation

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