Debopam Samanta1, Vimala Elumalai2, Megan Leigh Hoyt2, Avani C Modi3, Martha Sajatovic4. 1. Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA. Electronic address: dsamanta@uams.edu. 2. Division of Neurology, Arkansas Children's Hospital, USA. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. 4. Neurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To identify facilitators and barriers of epilepsy self-management practices among Black children and caregivers. METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 child-caregiver dyads (11 children with epilepsy and 11 caregivers). A deductive-inductive analysis was undertaken to describe the range of barriers and facilitators significant to participants. RESULTS: The barriers and facilitators were classified into 3 management themes: epilepsy-specific knowledge and information, treatment, and lifestyle. Within these themes, several important subthemes were identified. Two subthemes related to knowledge barriers emerged: children and caregivers' limited understanding and retention of complex written and spoken information and variable training and confidence in seizure first-aid. In contrast, facilitators for introducing and encouraging access to epilepsy self-management concepts were participants' eagerness to learn about this topic and a keen interest in using educational materials enriched with visual aids on a phone platform as an adjunct to in-person education. The second theme revealed various practical barriers to optimum treatment adherence, including mistrust of the healthcare system. In comparison, caregivers' collaborative approach and innovative strategies were identified as facilitators for treatment adherence. Finally, the lifestyle management barriers included a lack of defined processes to adopt healthy behaviors and challenges with disclosing epilepsy. Facilitators of this theme were comprised of building a team around the child to foster wellbeing and making healthy habits a fun and joyful experience for children. DISCUSSION: Qualitative evidence in this study highlights caregivers' mistrust in the healthcare system and the lack of community support. Culturally competent interventions may improve access to and quality and utilization of self-management programs in Black children and families while reducing disparities.
OBJECTIVES: To identify facilitators and barriers of epilepsy self-management practices among Black children and caregivers. METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 child-caregiver dyads (11 children with epilepsy and 11 caregivers). A deductive-inductive analysis was undertaken to describe the range of barriers and facilitators significant to participants. RESULTS: The barriers and facilitators were classified into 3 management themes: epilepsy-specific knowledge and information, treatment, and lifestyle. Within these themes, several important subthemes were identified. Two subthemes related to knowledge barriers emerged: children and caregivers' limited understanding and retention of complex written and spoken information and variable training and confidence in seizure first-aid. In contrast, facilitators for introducing and encouraging access to epilepsy self-management concepts were participants' eagerness to learn about this topic and a keen interest in using educational materials enriched with visual aids on a phone platform as an adjunct to in-person education. The second theme revealed various practical barriers to optimum treatment adherence, including mistrust of the healthcare system. In comparison, caregivers' collaborative approach and innovative strategies were identified as facilitators for treatment adherence. Finally, the lifestyle management barriers included a lack of defined processes to adopt healthy behaviors and challenges with disclosing epilepsy. Facilitators of this theme were comprised of building a team around the child to foster wellbeing and making healthy habits a fun and joyful experience for children. DISCUSSION: Qualitative evidence in this study highlights caregivers' mistrust in the healthcare system and the lack of community support. Culturally competent interventions may improve access to and quality and utilization of self-management programs in Black children and families while reducing disparities.
Authors: Charles E Begley; Rituparna Basu; Thomas Reynolds; David R Lairson; Stephanie Dubinsky; Michael Newmark; Forbes Barnwell; Allen Hauser; Dale Hesdorffer; Nora Hernandez; Steven C Karceski; Tina Shih Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2008-11-17 Impact factor: 5.864