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Editorial
. 2017 Mar;52(3 Suppl 3):S241-S245.
doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.07.026.

The Managing Epilepsy Well Network:: Advancing Epilepsy Self-Management

Martha Sajatovic  1 , Barbara C Jobst  2 , Ross Shegog  3 , Yvan A Bamps  4 , Charles E Begley  3 , Robert T Fraser  5 , Erica K Johnson  6 , Dilip K Pandey  7 , Rakale C Quarells  8 , Peter Scal  9 , Tanya M Spruill  10 , Nancy J Thompson  4 , Rosemarie Kobau  11
Affiliations
Editorial

The Managing Epilepsy Well Network:: Advancing Epilepsy Self-Management

Martha Sajatovic et al. Am J Prev Med. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Epilepsy, a complex spectrum of disorders, affects about 2.9 million people in the U.S. Similar to other chronic disorders, people with epilepsy face challenges related to management of the disorder, its treatment, co-occurring depression, disability, social disadvantages, and stigma. Two national conferences on public health and epilepsy (1997, 2003) and a 2012 IOM report on the public health dimensions of epilepsy highlighted important knowledge gaps and emphasized the need for evidence-based, scalable epilepsy self-management programs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention translated recommendations on self-management research and dissemination into an applied research program through the Prevention Research Centers Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network. MEW Network objectives are to advance epilepsy self-management research by developing effective interventions that can be broadly disseminated for use in people's homes, healthcare providers' offices, or in community settings. The aim of this report is to provide an update on the MEW Network research pipeline, which spans efficacy, effectiveness, and dissemination. Many of the interventions use e-health strategies to eliminate barriers to care (e.g., lack of transportation, functional limitations, and stigma). Strengths of this mature research network are the culture of collaboration, community-based partnerships, e-health methods, and its portfolio of prevention activities, which range from efficacy studies engaging hard-to-reach groups, to initiatives focused on provider training and knowledge translation. The MEW Network works with organizations across the country to expand its capacity, help leverage funding and other resources, and enhance the development, dissemination, and sustainability of MEW Network programs and tools. Guided by national initiatives targeting chronic disease or epilepsy burden since 2007, the MEW Network has been responsible for more than 43 scientific journal articles, two study reports, seven book chapters, and 62 presentations and posters. To date, two programs have been adopted and disseminated by the national Epilepsy Foundation, state Epilepsy Foundation affiliates, and other stakeholders. Recent expansion of the MEW Network membership will help to extend future reach and public health impact.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statements and Financial disclosures:

Martha Sajatovic has received research grants from Pfizer, Merck, Ortho-McNeil Janssen, Janssen, Reuter Foundation, Woodruff Foundation, Reinberger Foundation, National Institute of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She has been a consultant to Bracket, Prophase, Otsuka, Pfizer, Sunovion, and Neurocrine. She has received royalties from Springer Press, Johns Hopkins University Press, Oxford Press, UpToDate, Lexicomp. She has received compensation for CME activities form American Physician’s Institute, MCM Education, and CMEology

Barbara C. Jobst has received research support from Neuropace, Inc., the National Institute of Health, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Center of Disease Control.

Ross Shegog has received research support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Yvan A. Bamps has no financial disclosures.

Charles E. Begley has no financial disclosures.

Robert T. Fraser has no financial disclosures.

Erica K. Johnson has no financial disclosures.

Dilip K. Pandey has received research support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Health (NIH), National Stroke Association, and Lundbeck.

Rakale C. Quarells has no financial disclosures.

Peter Scal has no financial disclosures

Tanya M. Spruill has received research support from Pfizer, UCB, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Nancy J. Thompson has no financial disclosures.

Rosemarie Kobau has no financial disclosures.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network Interventions & Associated Activities
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epilepsy Fast Facts. 2016; http://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/basics/fast-facts.htm. Accessed March 23, 2016.
    1. Koh HK, Kobau R, Whittemore VH, et al. Toward an integrated public health approach for epilepsy in the 21st century. Prev Chronic Dis. 2014;11:E146. - PMC - PubMed
    1. DiIorio CK, Bamps YA, Edwards AL, et al. The prevention research centers’ managing epilepsy well network. Epilepsy Behav. November 2010;19(3):218–224. - PubMed
    1. US Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/rights/law/index.html. - PubMed
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Comorbidity in adults with epilepsy--United States, 2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. November 1 2013;62(43):849–853. - PMC - PubMed

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