Facilitators and barriers to neurologist referral of patients for epilepsy surgery evaluation
Epilepsy surgery, while effective, is underutilized. There is variability in how individual neurologists refer patients with drug-resistant epilepsy for epilepsy surgery. This interview study identified methods to facilitate referral for epilepsy surgery evaluation, such as improving patient/provider discussions about surgery. Several approaches could also alleviate barriers to presurgical evaluation, such as better inter-institutional communication, expanded care coordination, and greater resources for patients.
Authors
- Nishad Shaheid
- Chloé E. Hill (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5307-4167)
- Darin B. Zahuranec (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9772-2469)
- Lesli E. Skolarus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3088-9838)
- Jack M. Parent (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2972-1528)
- Susanna S. O’Kula
- Alison L. Herman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5824-3924)
- Daniel Hochster (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3746-2751)
- Jessica Baker
Institutions
- Northwestern University (US)
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (US)
- University of Michigan (US)
- OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Epilepsia Open
- Published
- 2025-04-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.70045
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Epilepsy research and treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.47
Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke