Patient satisfaction with specialized epilepsy assessment and treatment

The need for the assessment of patient satisfaction with specialized epilepsy services has been recognized for a number of years, in order to complement the management and medical benefits already demonstrated. We report a detailed study of patient satisfaction with the services provided in a specialised epilepsy assessment unit in the U.K. Patients were interviewed to assess their perceptions of the quality of service and the benefits they had derived from attending the unit. Close relatives were also contacted for their evaluation of the service provided. In all, 76 patients and 52 close relatives provided their views on the services offered. The results showed a positive appraisal of treatment. Almost 90% believed that their medical and social situation had been improved by attendance at the unit. However the need to assess more objective measures of 'satisfaction' are stressed, in order that future developments in care can be appropriately planned.