Podcast: Epilepsy for the Primary Care Provider 

For information about AMA PRA Category 2 credit™, visit the American Medical Association education hub and view page 10 and 11 of this document.

 

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 NeedAccording 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 

 

Date of Original Release |September 2019 

All information referenced in this podcast was correct at the time of initial publication.

 

Contact Information | Center for Continuing Medical Education; (502) 446-5955 or [email protected] 

 

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. 

Podcast Editing and Production:  www.unmuteaudio.com