BECAS
LANZILLOTTI Alejandra InÉs
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
IMPLEMENTING A PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL APPROACH FOR PNES (PSYCHOGENIC NON EPILECTIC SEIZURES) IN A PUBLIC HOSPITAL. PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE EXPERIENCE IN BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA)
Autor/es:
SARUDIANSKY, MERCEDES; ARECO PICO, MARIA MARTA; TENREYRO, CRISTINA; LANZILLOTTI, ALEJANDRA INÉS; SCÉVOLA, LAURA; KOCHEN, SILVIA; D'ALESSIO, LUCIANA; KORMAN, GUIDO PABLO
Lugar:
Philadelphia
Reunión:
Congreso; 46th Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR) International Annual Meeting; 2015
Institución organizadora:
Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR)
Resumen:
IntroductionThe therapeutic approach of psychogenic non epilectic seizures (PNES) represents a challenge for professionals in different disciplines, given the complexity of their symptoms and frequent psychiatric comorbidity. Many authors agree that PNES patients are reluctant to consider that emotions can be the cause of their suffering. However, when this explanation is accepted, it can have significant consequences on the future of the crisis and result in improvements. For this reason, different authors carried out psychoeducational programmes, in order for patients to achieve a better control over their crisis, accepting the psychogenic factors, and acknowledging the triggering events. ObjectiveTo point out key aspects for the application of a psychoeducational program at a hospital in Buenos Aires (Argentina).ProceduresAll patients admitted to the Centre of Epilepsy at Ramos Mejía Hospital (CERMH) receiving PNES diagnosis were consecutively selected during 2014. Diagnosis of PNES was confirmed by professionals of the CERMH through VEEG.10 patients were diagnosed with PNES. 5 of them had access to an individual educational intervention. The intervention consisted of three monthly meetings, in which the understanding of the psychogenic nature of the seizures was emphasized, and guidance was given on available treatments. Subsequently, a discussion of the shared experience of implementation was conducted among the members of the team to identify the difficulties recorded in each of the cases during this type of intervention.ResultsCharacteristics of the population5 participants, 3 were women. The average age is 27. The average time with crisis is 7 years. They are all on antiepileptic medication (AED). All belong to a lower social class, and lack formal employment. Two of the participants are migrants from neighbouring countries, while the rest are migrants´ children.Key features:a. Profesional-patient communication . One of the main aspects pointed out by members of the team were the difficulties around the understanding of the contents of psychoeducation. At the same time, the patients? beliefs regarding the disease (e.g. causal hypothesis), systematically interfered with the psycho-educational interventions that tried to emphasize the psychological etiology of their condition. This had a negative impact on the recommendation to reduce DAE and take up a psychological treatment.b. Weaknesses of the facilities of the health systemFew professionals are trained to deal with this type of problems in the context of inquiry.DiscussionIt is necessary to take into account cultural and social features while implementing interventions in a multicultural context as that of the public health system in Argentina. Beliefs about health and illness play a primary role in the patients´ attributive models, which impacts their choice of therapeutic strategies, and adherence to them. It is also necessary to train professionals in the treatment of this condition.