The role of the Epilepsy Specialist Nurse [ESN] in the Irish healthcare system and the impact on patient's satisfaction with care

Background Epilepsy is a common neurological condition with a prevalence of approximately 9 per 1,000 of the population. In Ireland the Epilepsy Specialist Nurse [ESN] role is an essential element of the National Epilepsy Care... [ view full abstract ]

Background
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition with a prevalence of approximately 9 per 1,000 of the population. In Ireland the Epilepsy Specialist Nurse [ESN] role is an essential element of the National Epilepsy Care programme. Limited research evidence supports the ESN role although its overall effectiveness is unknown.

Aim
The overall aim of the [SENsE] study is evaluating the role, impact and cost-effectiveness of the ESN in Ireland. This paper will report on one part of the evaluation, which is the patient’s perspective on the ESN role and its impact on care issues such as satisfaction with information sharing and communication, care and treatment, involvement and continuity of care and quality of life.

Methodology
Epilepsy specific surveys, designed by the team, were administered to PWE attending outpatient neurology services at 10 pre-selected hospital sites in the Republic of Ireland. Five of the sites had at least one ESN working within the service and the findings were compared with five sites which had no ESN role. Data analysis was performed using SPSS.

Key findings
The PWE (n=306) cared for within ESN sites received better information specific to their epilepsy, felt more involved in their care and treatment and were more likely to receive information specific to epilepsy and pregnancy than PWE (n=290) cared for in sites where the ESN role has not been established. While a trend towards better Quality of Life (QoL) scores were reported in the ESN sites, overall scores did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions
Preliminary results suggest that epilepsy care is enhanced by the presence of an ESN role. Qualitative comments within the surveys also supported some of the quantitative findings. Further elements of the SENsE study are yet to be reported.