Integration with Medical Education Curriculum

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 92 views

Introduction

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, low knowledge, attitudes, and actions against epilepsy can lead to stigma and discrimination against sufferers. As future healthcare professionals, medical students play a crucial role in providing education and handling of epilepsy patients. Therefore, it is essential to assess the effectiveness of counseling about epilepsy in medical students to improve their knowledge, attitudes, and actions.

Background

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which can be caused by various factors, including genetic, environmental, and traumatic factors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 50 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy, with a significant proportion living in low- and middle-income countries. Despite its prevalence, epilepsy remains a stigmatized disease, leading to social isolation, discrimination, and poor quality of life for sufferers.

Research Methodology

This quasi-experimental research was conducted from August to December 2017 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra (FK USU). The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of counseling about epilepsy in the first semester students of FK USU. A total of 81 students were sampled, and their knowledge, attitudes, and actions were measured using the Kapes (Knowledge, Attitude, Practice Towards Epilepsy) UC Berkeley questionnaire, which has been translated into Indonesian.

Results

The results showed a significant increase in the knowledge, attitudes, and actions of students after participating in counseling. Before counseling, only 20 out of 81 students had good knowledge about epilepsy, 25 had a good attitude, and 25 had good actions. However, after counseling, the number of students with good knowledge increased to 63, with a good attitude increased to 65, and good actions increased to 65.

Discussion

The results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of counseling about epilepsy in increasing knowledge, attitudes, and actions of medical students. This is crucial because medical students will become healthcare professionals who play a vital role in providing education and handling of epilepsy patients in the future. Increased knowledge, attitudes, and actions of medical students towards epilepsy will help reduce stigma and discrimination against sufferers. They will better understand this disease, be more empathetic, and provide appropriate treatment in accordance with the needs of patients.

Importance of Health Education Programs

This research also highlights the importance of health education programs, especially for medical students. Structured and effective counseling programs can increase students' knowledge, attitudes, and skills in providing optimal health services for the community. Health education programs should be integrated with the medical education curriculum to ensure that students gain a comprehensive understanding of epilepsy.

Recommendation

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further Research: It is necessary to conduct further research with a larger sample and a longer period of time to see the long-term effects of counseling.
Regular Extension Program: It is necessary to hold a regular extension program for epilepsy for medical students at USU FK and other universities.
Integration with Medical Education Curriculum: Counseling programs need to be integrated with the medical education curriculum so that students gain a more comprehensive understanding of epilepsy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of counseling about epilepsy in increasing knowledge, attitudes, and actions of medical students. The results of this study have significant implications for healthcare professionals, educators, and policymakers. By integrating counseling programs with the medical education curriculum, we can improve the knowledge, attitudes, and actions of medical students towards epilepsy, ultimately reducing stigma and discrimination against sufferers.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small Sample Size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Short Duration: The study was conducted over a short period, which may not capture the long-term effects of counseling.
Limited Generalizability: The study was conducted at a single institution, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other institutions.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to:

Increase Sample Size: Increase the sample size to improve the generalizability of the findings.
Longer Duration: Conduct the study over a longer period to capture the long-term effects of counseling.
Multi-Institutional Study: Conduct the study at multiple institutions to improve the generalizability of the findings.

References

World Health Organization. (2019). Epilepsy.
Kapes (Knowledge, Attitude, Practice Towards Epilepsy) UC Berkeley questionnaire.
Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra. (2017). Curriculum for Medical Students.
Frequently Asked Questions about Counseling about Epilepsy in Medical Students

Q: What is the purpose of counseling about epilepsy in medical students?

A: The purpose of counseling about epilepsy in medical students is to increase their knowledge, attitudes, and actions towards epilepsy, ultimately reducing stigma and discrimination against sufferers.

Q: What is the significance of counseling about epilepsy in medical students?

A: Counseling about epilepsy in medical students is crucial because they will become healthcare professionals who play a vital role in providing education and handling of epilepsy patients in the future.

Q: What are the benefits of counseling about epilepsy in medical students?

A: The benefits of counseling about epilepsy in medical students include:

Increased knowledge about epilepsy
Improved attitudes towards epilepsy
Enhanced actions towards epilepsy
Reduced stigma and discrimination against epilepsy sufferers
Improved quality of care for epilepsy patients

Q: What are the challenges of counseling about epilepsy in medical students?

A: The challenges of counseling about epilepsy in medical students include:

Limited time and resources
Limited knowledge and experience of counselors
Limited engagement and participation of students
Limited follow-up and evaluation of counseling programs

Q: How can counseling about epilepsy in medical students be improved?

A: Counseling about epilepsy in medical students can be improved by:

Increasing the duration and frequency of counseling sessions
Using a variety of teaching methods and materials
Encouraging student participation and engagement
Providing ongoing support and follow-up
Evaluating the effectiveness of counseling programs

Q: What are the implications of counseling about epilepsy in medical students for healthcare professionals?

A: The implications of counseling about epilepsy in medical students for healthcare professionals include:

Improved knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy
Enhanced actions towards epilepsy
Reduced stigma and discrimination against epilepsy sufferers
Improved quality of care for epilepsy patients
Increased confidence and competence in managing epilepsy patients

Q: What are the implications of counseling about epilepsy in medical students for policymakers?

A: The implications of counseling about epilepsy in medical students for policymakers include:

Improved healthcare outcomes for epilepsy patients
Reduced healthcare costs associated with epilepsy
Increased access to healthcare services for epilepsy patients
Improved public health education and awareness about epilepsy
Increased support and resources for epilepsy patients and their families

Q: What are the future directions for counseling about epilepsy in medical students?

A: The future directions for counseling about epilepsy in medical students include:

Increasing the scope and reach of counseling programs
Developing and implementing new and innovative counseling methods and materials
Evaluating the effectiveness of counseling programs and making improvements
Increasing collaboration and partnership with other healthcare professionals and organizations
Advocating for policy changes and increased support for epilepsy patients and their families.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include:

Small sample size
Short duration of the study
Limited generalizability of the findings
Limited follow-up and evaluation of counseling programs

Q: What are the recommendations for future research?

A: The recommendations for future research include:

Increasing the sample size and duration of the study
Conducting the study at multiple institutions
Evaluating the effectiveness of counseling programs and making improvements
Increasing collaboration and partnership with other healthcare professionals and organizations
Advocating for policy changes and increased support for epilepsy patients and their families.