Patient education: lessons from epilepsy.

Abstract

Throughout the world some 40 lay associations are in the business of enabling patients with epilepsy to come to an understanding of their condition. This article aims to present the bones of this collective experience by detailing the positive outcomes that can be achieved for patients, for health professionals and for society in general, if patient education is delivered in a way that promotes confidence building, ensures that the educational locus is centred on the patient and enables the patient to be a partner in any decision-making process. This article will also suggest general guidelines that should underpin any patient education programme, as well as specific content. The questions of who should be responsible for delivering the programme and how patient education programmes can in reality become an integral part of health care plans are also addressed.