Patients' aims for epilepsy surgery: desires beyond seizure freedom.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate prospectively patient's aims for epilepsy surgery as previously outlined theoretically by Taylor et al. (Epilepsia 1997;3:625-30).


METHODS
Ninety-three consecutive patients were interviewed by a psychiatrist as part of their evaluation for epilepsy surgery. Open-ended questions about the patient were asked, and carers' aims or ambitions for change as a result of putative relief of seizures were elicited. The interviewer aimed to obtain a maximum of five aims for later follow-up purposes. These questions were part of an extensive psychiatric interview that is described.


RESULTS
The aims of 69 patients or carers were analyzed. The 204 statements of aims were grouped into 59 categories initially. The five most frequently cited constituted 50% of all the aims listed. These aims were desire for work, driving of motor vehicles, independence, socializing, and freedom from drugs. The patients rarely identified a desire for improvement in cognitive functioning as an aim for epilepsy surgery. A final analysis into six categories showed that changes in social process predominated, even over changes in personal behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
The social and personal aims to accompany relief of epilepsy identified by patients are consistent with the literature on psychosocial adjustment to epilepsy.
Taylor
D C
DC
Epilepsy Surgery Program, Irish Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
McMacKin
D
D
Staunton
H
H
Delanty
N
N
Phillips
J
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001334:Automobile Driving; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000601:surgery; D004651:Employment; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome