The management of epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a common, sometimes chronic, condition with physical risks and psychological and socioeconomic consequences which impair quality of life. The management of patients with epilepsy demands long term commitment from both the general practitioner (GP) and the specialist. The prime requirements are a complete diagnosis, selection of optimal treatment, and counselling appropriate to individual needs. The majority of patients will enter remission and may be discharged to the care of their GP, while the remainder need continued care in the specialist clinic. In the course of the condition the patient (and carer/family) should be suYciently well informed to make decisions about choices of treatment, the need for long term treatment, and options for dealing with the drug resistant condition and its consequences. Ideally this process will involve cooperation between the consultant and nurse specialist and the primary care physician. While, at present, these facilities are not widely available, this article focuses on this model of care.