Epilepsy for Primary Care Providers - a podcast by NHC Center for Continuing Medical Education

Podcast: Epilepsy for the Primary Care Provider 

Evaluation and Credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MedChat6 

Target Audience 

This activity is targeted toward internal medicine, family medicine and primary care specialties that provide primary care to patients with seizures and/or epilepsy. 

Statement of Need 

According to the CDC approximately 40 - 50k of adults in Kentucky have epilepsy (2015 data). Prior to a diagnosis of epilepsy, a primary care practitioner may be the first provider to see a patient suspected of having had a seizure. Additionally, they may be responsible for initial diagnosis and treatment as well as referral to a specialist. 

Objectives 

At the conclusion of this offering, the participant will be able to: 

• Discuss differential diagnosis of seizures. 
• Describe epilepsy syndromes and seizure classifications. 
• Discuss common treatments for epilepsy as well as required monitoring by the primary care provider. 
• Understand the relationship of epilepsy with co-existing disorders. 

Moderator 

Stephen Wright, M.D. 

Medical Director 

Norton Medical Group 

Speakers 

Ambica Tumkur, M.D. 

Neurologist 

Norton Neurology Services 

Rebekah Woods, D.O. 

Neurologist 

Norton Neurology Services 

Moderator, Speaker and Planner Disclosures 

The moderator, speaker and planners for this activity have no potential or actual conflicts of interest to disclose. 

Commercial Support 

There was no commercial support for this activity. 

Physician Credits 

American Medical Association 

Accreditation 

Norton Healthcare is accredited by the Kentucky Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

Designation 

Norton Healthcare designates this enduring material for a maximum of .50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Date of Original Release |September 2019 

Course Termination Date | September 2021; Updated to September 2023 

Content Review | This podcast was reviewed July 2021 by Ambica Tumkur, M.D. It was determined that the information is still relevant and appropriate. 

Contact Information | Center for Continuing Medical Education; (502) 446-5955 or cme@nortonhealthcare.org 

Resources for Additional Study 

Bates, M.D., Kimberly, “Epilepsy, Current Evidence-Based Paradigms for Diagnosis and Treatment”, Primary Care Clinic Office Practice, 42 (2015) 217 – 232. 

Bosak, Magdalena, et. al. Implementation of the new ILAE classification of epilepsies into clinical practice – A cohort study”, Epilepsy & Behavior, 96 (2019) 28 – 32. 

Bruun, Emmi, et. al. “Co-morbidity and clinically significant interactions between antiepileptic drugs and other drugs in elderly patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy”, Epilepsy & Behavior 73 (2017) 71 – 76. 

Pack, Allison, M.D., MPH, “Epilepsy Overview and Revised Classification of Seizures and Epilepsies”, Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2019; 25 (2. EPILEPSY): 306-321. 

Schachter, M.D., Steven C., “Comorbidities and complications of epilepsy in adults”, UpToDate, 2019. 

Schachter, M.D., Steven C., “Evaluation and management of the first seizure in adults”, UpToDate, 2019. 

St. Louis, M.D., MS, FAAN Erik K., and Cascino, M.D., FAAN, Gregory. “Diagnosis of Epilepsy and Related Episodic Disorders”, Continuum (Minneap Minn), 2016; 22(1): 15 – 37. 

Yoo, M.D., Ji Yeoun, and Panov, M.D., Fedor, “Identification and Treatment of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy”, Continuum (Minneap Minn), 2019:25 (2, EPILEPSY): 362 – 380. 

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