Psychiatry versus general physicians: who is better at differentiating epileptic from psychogenic non-epileptic seizures?

Abstract

Objective:

To determine how accurately psychiatry and general medical doctors can differentiate epileptic and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures based on videotaped events (closest proxy to witnessed events). This study aims to establish how confidently this distinction can be made, the reasons why a particular diagnosis is reached, and inter-rater agreement.

Methods:

18 videos of patients demonstrating a heterogeneous mixture of epileptic and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures were collected and ordered in a random mix. These videos were shown to groups of general physicians, medical registrars and residents (n=19) as well as to psychiatrists and psychiatry registrars (n=8) who were provided with a questionnaire.

Results:

A total of 27 doctors participated in the study. The overall percentage of correct diagnoses was 55.4%. There were no significant differences in correct diagnosis rates between psychiatry and general medical doctors. There was poor inter-rater agreement (Kappa = 0.159). Neither group was particularly confident in reaching a diagnosis, and diverse reasons underpinned the diagnoses given.

Conclusion:

Among the participants, merely observing an epileptic or non-epileptic event is insufficient to establish a definitive diagnosis. The results indicate poor diagnostic accuracy and agreement among psychiatry and general medical doctors. This may have important implications for both education and clinical practice.