Refresh Your Knowledge and Patient Management of Epilepsy

National Epilepsy Awareness Month an Opportunity to Get Seizure First Aid Certified

November 9, 2020

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month and offers a good opportunity for a refresher on recognizing seizures and safely helping patients with Seizure First Aid. AAPA has partnered with the Epilepsy Foundation as part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cooperative agreement, “Improving Education, Awareness, and Quality of Life in Epilepsy through Partnerships.” The AAPA/Epilepsy Foundation partnership has included placing seizure-focused Clinical Case Challenge Series talks at chapter organization meetings and promoting activities including the Seizure Recognition and First Aid Certification training.

“It’s important for PAs to understand how they can help patients with epilepsy and be able to train others,” says Daniel Pace, AAPA vice president of education and research and chief strategy officer. “The training offered this month is a convenient opportunity to get updated.”

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the nervous system and is also known as a seizure disorder. It is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures (or after one seizure with a high risk for more) that were not caused by some known medical condition. According to the (CDC), at least 3.4 million people in the U.S. live with active epilepsy, including 470,000 children.

The Seizure Recognition and First Aid Certification training provides information and skills to recognize seizures and safely help someone during a seizure. The first aid procedures in the guide reflect the standard of knowledge and current best practices. This information is presented in a format suited for direct training of the public. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a two-year certification. There are trainings offered throughout November. The course offers 1.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits.

Look for more educational activities on epilepsy in 2021 including CME activities in AAPA’s Learning Central and a session at AAPA 2021.

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