Continuing Medical Education Information
Course Description:
This activity will address the clinical considerations of epilepsy. Education will focus on best practices related to the identification, diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy.
Statement of Need:
Epilepsy remains a prevalent and high-burden neurological disorder in Kentucky, affecting an estimated approximately 49,500 residents, including nearly 6,800 children, according to CDC-supported state estimates. We believe these numbers are not fully accurate as there are so many individuals living with epilepsy that are undiagnosed. 1 in 26 people will be affected by epilepsy in their lifetime and based on this statistic, there could be upwards of 174,000 people affected by epilepsy living in Kentucky. Nationally, about 1% of adults live with active epilepsy, and Kentucky experiences similar or higher prevalence with disproportionate rates of emergency department utilization, hospitalization, and disability.
Approximately 30–35% of patients with epilepsy develop drug-resistant disease, yet national data show that referral to epilepsy specialists is often delayed by several years after failure of two anti seizure medications. Kentucky’s largely rural geography and limited access to specialty care further exacerbate this gap.
In addition, SUDEP remains underrecognized and underdiscussed in routine clinical practice, despite being the leading cause of epilepsy-related mortality.
Objectives:
Learners will be able to:
- implement standardized diagnostic algorithms
- optimize antiseizure medication management
- initiate earlier referrals to epilepsy specialists
- conduct routine SUDEP and safety counseling
- apply individualized risk-reduction strategies
- utilize seizure action plans
- improve longitudinal monitoring of patients with epilepsy.
These strategies are expected to enhance seizure control, patient safety, and access to specialty care across Kentucky.
Disclosure:
The following planners disclose that they have no relevant relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients:
Rachel Crouch, Miranda Mosley, Cortney Johnson
The following speaker discloses that they have no relevant relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients:
Julie Youssefi, MD, Speaker
Disclosure: The following faculty disclose the following relevant relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients:
Vinay Puri, MD: Speaker for Acadia
*Acadia is in the process of developing a potential epilepsy therapy. The speaker has attested that they will not be discussing any investigational or off-label use of any drug/therapy.
Joseph Niemat, MD: Speaker for Medtronic
All relevant relationships have been mitigated.
Commercial Support: There is no commercial support associated with this activity.
Accreditation and Designation:
The Kentucky Medical Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Kentucky Medical Association designates this enduring material activity for 1 .00 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.™ Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Estimated Time to Complete: This module will take approximately one hour to complete.
Method of Participation Used: Participants will view and listen to a recorded discussion.
Hardware/Software Requirements: High speed internet connection
Meeting Planner: Miranda Mosley, Rachel Crouch, Cortney Johnson
Faculty: Julie Youssefi, MD, Vinay Puri, MD, Joseph Niemat, MD
Provider Contact Information: Miranda Mosley, Kentucky Medical Association
Copyright: There is no copyright associated with this activity
Release Date: May 2026
Termination Date: May 2027
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