Masoume Nazeri1, Seyed Ali Dastgheib2, Ali A Asadi-Pooya3. 1. Clinical Neurology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 2. Substance Abuse Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: adastgheib@sums.ac.ir. 3. Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: aliasadipooya@yahoo.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were 1) to review the literature about "job/employment and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)" and 2) to gather the views of neurologists and psychiatrists on the issue of job consultation in patients with PNES. METHODS: Phase one involved a systematic literature review; phase two involved the collection of the views of neurologists and psychiatrists, practicing in Fars province, Iran, on the issue of job consultation in patients with PNES. A questionnaire was designed for the purpose of this study. RESULTS: No studies were identified by the systematic review process on the issue of job consultation in patients with PNES. Of the 87 health-care professionals approached, 63 responded to the survey (response rate: 72%). Respondents included 31 neurologists and 32 psychiatrists. In response to the question "Should all patients with PNES be counseled to pursue any job or profession they would like?", 17 (55%) neurologists and 19 (59%) psychiatrists answered "no" (p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: While it is possible that some patients with PNES are more likely than other people in the general public to be involved in job-related difficulties (performing duties related to any job, accidents, etc.), there is currently no evidence supporting or refuting this proposition. However, in this study, the majority of the health-care professionals, who often deal with these patients, believed that not all patients with PNES should be counseled to pursue any job or profession they would like (i.e., there should be some restrictions).
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were 1) to review the literature about "job/employment and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)" and 2) to gather the views of neurologists and psychiatrists on the issue of job consultation in patients with PNES. METHODS: Phase one involved a systematic literature review; phase two involved the collection of the views of neurologists and psychiatrists, practicing in Fars province, Iran, on the issue of job consultation in patients with PNES. A questionnaire was designed for the purpose of this study. RESULTS: No studies were identified by the systematic review process on the issue of job consultation in patients with PNES. Of the 87 health-care professionals approached, 63 responded to the survey (response rate: 72%). Respondents included 31 neurologists and 32 psychiatrists. In response to the question "Should all patients with PNES be counseled to pursue any job or profession they would like?", 17 (55%) neurologists and 19 (59%) psychiatrists answered "no" (p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: While it is possible that some patients with PNES are more likely than other people in the general public to be involved in job-related difficulties (performing duties related to any job, accidents, etc.), there is currently no evidence supporting or refuting this proposition. However, in this study, the majority of the health-care professionals, who often deal with these patients, believed that not all patients with PNES should be counseled to pursue any job or profession they would like (i.e., there should be some restrictions).