Illness perceptions of health care workers in relation to epileptic and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Illness perceptions of health care professionals are likely to affect patient care. This study describes the illness perceptions of two groups of health care staff toward epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). Sixty-one health care professionals (30 emergency care [EC] and 31 neuroscience ward [NW] staff) who regularly see patients with seizures completed the adapted Illness Perception Questionnaire—Revised (IPQ-R) and the Symptom Attribution Question for epilepsy and PNES. Respondents reported a poorer understanding of PNES than of epilepsy (P < 0.001), thought epilepsy was a more chronic condition (P = 0.001/P < 0.001) and that patients with PNES had more “personal control” of their seizures (P = 0.014/P < 0.001). Staff from both departments identified psychological causes as most important for PNES (P < 0.001). EC staff also attributed PNES to behavioral issues or alcohol. The Illness Perception Questionnaire—Revised and Symptom Attribution Question demonstrated important differences in attitudes of health care staff toward epilepsy and PNES. The findings illustrate why some patients with PNES have traumatic encounters with health care professionals.

Research highlights
► The IPQ-R can be used to measure staff illness perceptions.
► Staff have a poorer understanding of PNES than of epilepsy.
► Staff think patients with PNES have more "personal control" over their seizures.
► Attitudes toward epilepsy and PNES seizures may affect patient care.