title: Explanations given by people with epilepsy for using emergency medical services: a qualitative study.
abstract: Half of the people with epilepsy (PWE) in the UK experience seizures and 13-18% attend emergency medical services (EMS) annually. The majority of attendances are regarded as clinically unjustified. This study describes PWE explanations for using EMS. A nested qualitative study, part of a larger study based in three South London hospitals, was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. A seizure alone was not the main explanation for attending EMS; knowledge, experience, and confidence of those nearby on what to do and seizure context were important. Additionally, fears of sudden death held by the PWE and others were reported. From the patients' perspective, use of EMS is regarded as appropriate when they are away from home or someone nearby lacks knowledge of seizure management. Hospitals could provide regular group sessions on seizure management for PWE and their significant others, in which fears are discussed and evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK. leone.ridsdale@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Leone
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ridsdale
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Virdi
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noble
authors.forename: Myfanwy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy