Objective:

An online CME-certified activity was developed to educate neurologists on the importance of achieving seizure freedom and clinical data on seizure freedom for anti-seizure medications (ASMs), particularly among patients refractory to treatment. 

Background:

The primary goals of epilepsy treatment are to achieve seizure freedom without side effects. However many patients with epilepsy continue to experience seizures and are not offered therapeutic options that may offer greater seizure control. 

Design/Methods:

The online CME activity consisted of a 30-minute video discussion between three expert epileptologists. Educational effect was assessed by comparing neurologists' pre- and post- activity responses to four questions. A paired-samples t-test was used to assess significant differences between pre- and post-assessment responses. Cohen’s d was used to calculate the effect size of the online education. Data were collected between April 6, 2022 and June 29, 2022.

Results:

Among neurologists who participated in the activity, a small educational effect was observed (n=133; d=.34, P<.001). The following areas showed significant (P <.05) pre- vs post-educational improvements: patient-related consequences of uncontrolled seizures and the seizure-freedom rate reported in a clinical trial of an ASM in patients with treatment refractory focal seizures. There was a non-significant pre-vs post educational improvement on a question asking about how to address dosing when a new ASM is added to an existing ASM. Participation in the activity resulted in 32% of neurologists reporting an increase in confidence regarding their ability to optimize the dosing of ASMs to maximize the chance of achieving seizure freedom. 

Conclusions: