Assessing Knowledge and Awareness of Epilepsy Surgery in Healthcare Students and Interns at King Abdulaziz University.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and awareness of epilepsy surgery among healthcare students and interns at King Abdulaziz University. By identifying gaps in understanding and perception, the study is aimed at informing future educational strategies to enhance awareness of surgical options for epilepsy management.

METHODS

Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire assessing participants' awareness and knowledge of epilepsy surgery, drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), surgical referral timing, and perceptions regarding the risks and benefits of epilepsy surgery.

RESULTS

Among 500 participants, only 25.8% (including 50.7% of medical students) knew that epilepsy could be treated surgically. Just 10.4% (17.3% of medical students) felt their medical training adequately covered epilepsy surgery. Only 10.6% (24.7% of medical students) correctly identified partial/focal epilepsy as surgically treatable, and 14.6% (30% of medical students) believed the benefits of surgery were high. "DRE" was correctly recognized by 44.2% overall (30% of medical students). Medical students had the highest knowledge scores (12.33 ± 4.04), followed by nursing (10.71 ± 2.87), pharmacy (9.94 ± 2.12), and laboratory students (9.85 ± 1.52).

CONCLUSION

A significant knowledge gap exists regarding epilepsy surgery among healthcare students and interns. Medical students demonstrated greater awareness than their nonmedical peers. Enhancing medical and allied health curricula could improve future referral practices and patient outcomes.