The efficacy of a pharmacist implemented educational treatment programme for people with epilepsy: A report of a randomised controlled trial

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a pharmacist implemented educational treatment programme in improving knowledge and perception of epilepsy among people with the condition. Method: A randomized controlled study was conducted on patients with epilepsy recruited from the medical and neurology out-patient clinics of two tertiary hospitals. Patients in the intervention group were offered an educational treatment programme implemented by a clinical pharmacist. The impact of the educational intervention was evaluated by using an epilepsy knowledge scale and the brief illness perception questionnaire. Results: There was a statistical significant difference between the control and intervention group over time on the knowledge of epilepsy, as the knowledge of epilepsy among patients in the intervention group significantly increased; F (2154) = 150.15, p = 0.000, Partial eta(2) = 0.661. Also, there was a statistical significant difference between the control and intervention group over time on the perception of epilepsy, as the perception of epilepsy among patients in the intervention group significantly improved; F (2, 154) = 12.386, p = 0.000, Partial eta(2) = 0.138. Conclusion: The Pharmacist implemented educational intervention improved patients' knowledge and perception of epilepsy. This finding has revealed the potential positive impact of pharmacists' involvement in the management of epilepsy.