Chairperson

Epilepsy

In order to improve patients' outcomes, research and social awareness in epilepsy, the EFNS epilepsy panel intends to be involved in several activities:

1. Teaching: The EFNS is one of the leading European organizations in advance and basic teaching in neurology. In the area of epilepsy this has been achieved through teaching courses during the EFNS annual meeting and satellite courses and symposia in specific countries.

2. Practice guidelines: EFNS guidelines represent a major achievement, provide consensus on quality of care for patients with neurological disorders, and are available to the neurological community, not only in Europe, but also abroad. The epilepsy section is developing guidelines in diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and seizures. This is an ongoing activity in which additional efforts are being implemented.

3. Patient education: Epilepsy information should be available not only to physicians, but also to the general public. Ideally patient information should be consistent and homogenous. In the future, the epilepsy panel might consider engaging in the development or supervision of educational material.

4. Diffusion of knowledge: Medical information in the media needs to be adequately selected and presented to the general public. In the future it may well be necessary to provide information and supervision to European communication agencies when dealing with topics related to epilepsy.

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has represented epilepsy for over 100 years. Because of this, the Epilepsy Panel of the EFNS is committed to link its activities with the ILAE, while at the same time maintains the structure and goals of the EFNS.