Establishing a Psychosocial Screening Program in a High-Volume Pediatric Epilepsy Clinic Using the PedsQL—Epilepsy Module

Abstract

Objective:

Children and adolescents with epilepsy are at increased risk for a number of comorbidities which can affect their health-related quality of life. We aimed to leverage data collected through widespread, automated distribution of the PedsQL—epilepsy module (Modi et al., 2017) to patient caregivers in order to assess the feasibility of using the PedsQL to create a formalized psychosocial screening program.

Method:

Our team utilized quality improvement methodology to establish a clinic workflow and trial a psychosocial screening program based on targeting specific domains of the PedsQL—epilepsy module using existing cutoff scores.

Results:

In our sample, 58% (n = 67) of patients screened positive on one or more of the three targets PedsQL—epilepsy module domains based on parent reports. Approximately 40% of those were seen for a consult (n = 26). Consults most often involved psychoeducation related to the special education process or brief intervention for managing behavioral or mood concerns (76.9% of children who screened positive, n = 20).

Conclusion:

The existing PedsQL—epilepsy module cutoff scores demonstrated utility in targeting patients for intervention in our high-volume multidisciplinary pediatric epilepsy clinic.

Implications for Impact Statement

This article demonstrates the feasibility of using the PedsQL—epilepsy module in order to screen for psychosocial concerns in a busy pediatric epilepsy clinic. Valuable details including the process for developing and refining the screening process are also included.