Leonie Reckin , Sarah Jeschke , Felix von Podewils , Janek Gießler , Silke Schmidt-Schuchert , Samuel Tomczyk , Thilo Bertsche , Martina P. Neininger , Astrid Bertsche
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Abstract
Purpose
The primary objective of this exploratory study was to examine the current situation of people with epilepsy (PWE) in the German labor market and how epilepsy affects their daily working life.
Methods
From June 2023 to March 2024, we conducted an exploratory online survey in adult PWE in Germany.
Results
The online survey was completed by 193 PWE (median age: 40.5 years; Q25/75: 27/53; 62 % female). The participants reported the following effects of their diagnosis on their professional lives: Experiencing reduced work performance due to perceived adverse drug reactions (102/193; 53 %), worrying often about the professional future (93/193; 48 %), and perceiving every-day work or school life to be more challenging because of the diagnosis (90/193; 47 %). Of the 81 participants who were diagnosed before finishing school, 26/81 (32 %) could not pursue their initial career aspirations after receiving their diagnosis. Of the PWE who were diagnosed during their vocational or academic training, 3/35 (9 %) had to specialize differently in their field of training, and 10/35 (29 %) were forced to stop their training. 10/77 (13 %) PWE who were diagnosed during their professional life could not keep their job following the diagnosis.
Conclusion
According to self-reports, one of the main challenges faced by adult PWE is the deterioration of work performance due to perceived adverse drug reactions. They also perceived a major mental strain regarding their professional future because of the diagnosis. Moreover, they felt considerably limited in their career choices, especially if they were diagnosed early in life.
期刊介绍：
Epilepsy & Behavior is the fastest-growing international journal uniquely devoted to the rapid dissemination of the most current information available on the behavioral aspects of seizures and epilepsy.
Epilepsy & Behavior presents original peer-reviewed articles based on laboratory and clinical research. Topics are drawn from a variety of fields, including clinical neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychiatry, neuropsychology, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and neuroimaging.
From September 2012 Epilepsy & Behavior stopped accepting Case Reports for publication in the journal. From this date authors who submit to Epilepsy & Behavior will be offered a transfer or asked to resubmit their Case Reports to its new sister journal, Epilepsy & Behavior Case Reports.
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