Understanding the self-management skills of persons with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the self-management skills of persons with epilepsy (PWE) vary across the different domains of the Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (ESMS).

METHODS: 172 PWE completed a survey questionnaire as well as the ESMS.

RESULTS: Using ANOVA with pairwise comparison, the mean item scores of the medication, seizure, and safety management subscales of the ESMS were significantly higher than the lifestyle and information management subscales (p<0.01). The mean item score for the lifestyle management subscale was significantly higher than the information management subscale (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION: PWE in our population performed differently across the various domains of the ESMS and did worse on the lifestyle and information management subscales. We discuss the implications of this on patient counseling and education.