[Epilepsy clinics].

Abstract

AIMS: The current level of technological progress in the methods of diagnosis and treatment of epilepsies requires certain resources to be concentrated in so-called epilepsy clinics (EC) or centres. DEVELOPMENT: Although many epileptic patients can be diagnosed and treated by clinicians who are not specialized in epilepsies, those whose diagnosis is not totally sure and those who do not have their seizures completely controlled should be referred to an EC. EC are stratified according to the degree of complexity of the studies and therapeutic measures carried out there, the most important being video-EEG monitoring and epilepsy surgery. Moreover, they can be both medical and medical-surgical EC, and may be basic or a reference in their field. If they are properly adapted to a certain volume of population by gradually meeting the local medical and social requirements until they reach an optimum level of development, they can be extremely effective and efficient. The different regional EC must be connected to one another and cooperate with common guidelines for action that have been commonly agreed to by all the centres. They must also allow a bidirectional flow of patients. Every EC must fulfil certain minimum requirements to guarantee the quality of the health care offered there. CONCLUSIONS: Doctors who attend people with epilepsy, with the support of the health authorities, must promote the setting up and development of EC, in order to achieve the maximum possible control over the seizures and a better quality of life for the epileptic patient.