Background:

The care for people with epilepsy underwent significant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study compared the experiences of people with epilepsy living in high-income countries (HICs) to those living in non-HICs.

Research:

We used an online survey to understand how COVID-19 impacted the health and healthcare of people with epilepsy. Our findings showed that people in both HICs and non-HICs faced similar challenges in accessing help for their epilepsy. People in high-income countries were more likely to say that their general health had been affected. Across all settings, COVID-19 was associated with a major shift towards remote consultations.

Potential Impact:

When preparing for future pandemics, it’s crucial to focus not only on mental healthcare but also on ensuring continued access to essential epilepsy services and improving remote consultation options.