VA Offers Professional Training on Recognizing Imitators of Epilepsy

Recognizing Imitators in Epilepsy

The VA ECoE has determined there is a knowledge gap and lack of understanding about imitators and mimickers of epilepsy. Therefore, it has created a web-based, CME training course to improve understanding among first-line neurology-based caregivers, doctors, and pharmacists.

The course includes an

• Introduction on clinical approach to differential diagnosis of seizures
• In-depth discussion on psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, syncope, and movement disorders that may imitate seizures, as well as other common imitators

How to Access the Training

The training is offered through the VHA TRAIN system.

• Non-VA employees, register here.
• VA employees, please complete this course in TMS by clicking here.

The course provides 1 credit/hours of CME through ACCME and ACCME-NP.

Questions?

Please contact the VHA TRAIN Help Desk by email at [email protected].

VHA TRAIN is supported by the Veterans Health Administration Employee Education System, an internal education and trainingram office of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The EES-developed training programs found in VHA TRAIN support the continuing education and professional development needs of community-based health care providers and public health officials, with a focus on Veteran-Centered care.

About the VA ECoE

The VA ECoE seeks to provide the best possible epilepsy care to veterans throughout the United States with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services. Made up of 16 sites linked to form 4 regional centers, the ECoE offer a range of both outpatient and inpatient services. Neurology sub-specialists at outpatient epilepsy clinics provide advanced testing for the evaluation of epilepsy, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and video monitoring. For people who require more intensive testing or attention, the ECoE also provide inpatient units for examining certain seizure types more closely, changing medications in a monitored setting, and presurgical evaluation. The epilepsy centers are also linked with the Polytrauma Centers to help follow veterans with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury who are at the greatest risk for developing post-traumatic epilepsy.

To learn more about the VA ECoE, go to www.epilepsy.va.gov.

Learn More

• Resources for professionals treating veterans with epilepsy
• More educational webcasts and web links
• Information for veterans living with epilepsy
• More provider education offered by the VA ECoE

Articles

• "Helpful Tools in the Diagnosis and Study of Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures," May 2016
• "A Standardized Diagnostic Approach and Ongoing Feedback Improves Outcome in Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures," summary of article published in Epilepsy & Behavior, January 2016