Abstract
Background/Objectives An estimated half of patients with seizure disorders in the community experience significant delays to diagnosis. The first seizure model of care provides priority specialist review to patients with suspected first seizure. The extent to which the first seizure model of care is utilised across Australia/New Zealand is unclear. We aim to gauge which factors impact availability of first seizure clinics (FSCs) and identify at-risk populations.
Methods A survey was distributed to neurologists, epileptologists and heads-of-unit affiliated with the Epilepsy Society of Australia (ESA). Responses were recorded using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) software. This study was approved by the Eastern Health Ethics Committee (LR23–001–92462).
Results We received 22 responses from 19 adult and 3 paediatric services across Australia/New Zealand. These included 17 public and 2 mixed public/private services. 14 services ran dedicated FSCs, with an average 5 appointments available for new patients and 9 for review patients.
Estimated wait time for new adult patients ranged from 4–56 weeks, with overall 13.7 week average wait. 7 services saw over 50% of patients via telehealth, 9 services reported over 20% increase in telehealth appointments since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Limited clinic appointments and delays in investigations were the most reported constraints facing FSCs.
Conclusion/Discussion Dedicated first seizure services are established across Australia with increasing telehealth availability. Limited appointments and access to timely investigations are factors contributing to longer wait times and delays to diagnosis. Future research may help identify modifiable targets that may improve access to first seizure clinics.
