Megan Leigh Hoyt

Bio: Megan Leigh Hoyt is an academic researcher from Arkansas Children's Hospital. The author has contributed to research in topics: Epilepsy surgery & Systematic review. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 3 publications receiving 2 citations.

Physicians’ Perspectives on Presurgical Discussion and Shared Decision-Making in Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery

Abstract: Objective: To qualitatively explore the approach of pediatric epilepsy providers when counseling regarding surgical options for epilepsy, presenting risks and benefits of surgery, overcoming resistance to surgery, and fostering shared decision making with patients and families. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with 11 academic clinicians (5- neurologists, 5- epileptologists, 1- neurosurgeon) from a Level 4 pediatric epilepsy center to explore how physicians communicate and pursue surgical decision-making. Results: A blended inductive-deductive analysis revealed three key themes (with subthemes) of presurgical discussions: (1) Candidate selection and initial discussion about epilepsy surgery (neurologists compared to epileptologists, the timing of the discussion, reluctant families) (2) Detailed individualized counseling about epilepsy surgery (shared decision-making [enablers and barriers] and risk-benefit analysis [balancing risks and benefits, statistical benefit estimation, discussion about SUDEP, prognostication about cognitive and behavioral outcomes, risks of surgery]) (3) Tools to improve decision-making (educational interventions for patients and families and provider- and organization-specific interventions). Significance: Presurgical discussions lack uniformity among physicians who treat epilepsy. Despite general interest in collaborative decision-making, experts raised concern about lack of exposure to communication training and clinical tools for optimizing decision-making, a high number of families who do not feel equipped to share the decision making leaving the decision-making entirely to the physician, and paucity of practical resources for individualized risk-benefit counseling. Clinical practice guidelines should be developed to reduce existing practice variations in presurgical counseling. Further consensus is needed about when and how to initiate the conversation about epilepsy surgery, essential components of the discussion, and the utility of various tools to improve the utilization of epilepsy surgery.

Expedited epilepsy surgery prior to drug resistance in children: a frontier worth crossing?

Abstract: Epilepsy surgery is an established safe and effective treatment for selected candidates with drug-resistant epilepsy. In this opinion piece, we outline the clinical and experimental evidence for selectively considering epilepsy surgery prior to drug resistance. Our rationale for expedited surgery is based on the observations that, 1) a high proportion of patients with lesional epilepsies (e.g. focal cortical dysplasia, epilepsy associated tumours) will progress to drug-resistance, 2) surgical treatment of these lesions, especially in non-eloquent areas of brain, is safe, and 3) earlier surgery may be associated with better seizure outcomes. Potential benefits beyond seizure reduction or elimination include less exposure to anti-seizure medications (ASM), which may lead to improved developmental trajectories in children and optimize long-term neurocognitive outcomes and quality of life. Further, there exists emerging experimental evidence that brain network dysfunction exists at the onset of epilepsy, where continuing dysfunctional activity could exacerbate network perturbations. This in turn could lead to expanded seizure foci and contribution to the comorbidities associated with epilepsy. Taken together, we rationalize that epilepsy surgery, in carefully selected cases, may be considered prior to drug resistance. Lastly, we outline the path forward, including the challenges associated with developing the evidence base and implementing this paradigm into clinical care.

Epilepsy life skill education guidelines for primary school teachers and learners in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa: Multiphase mixed methods protocol

Abstract: Epilepsy is a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures. It may result from a genetic condition and occurs mainly in children, especially at a primary level. Most people living with Epilepsy suffer from stigma and discrimination because of a lack of knowledge regarding Epilepsy. This study aims to develop life skills education guidelines for primary school learners of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces to educate learners about Epilepsy, thus decreasing stigma and discrimination. A multimethod research approach will be used in this study to fulfil its purpose. Both stages 1 and 2 of the empirical phase (phase 1) will employ an exploratory-descriptive study design focusing on the primary school teachers, life skills educational advisors and learners to obtain their perceptions or views regarding the need to include Epilepsy in life skills education. Data will be collected using individual interviews for life skill educational advisors and focus group discussions for teachers and learners at the sampled primary schools in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Phase two will conceptualise the phase 1 findings into the conceptual framework, and phase 3 will develop and validate the life skills guideline. This study will adhere to both internal and external ethical considerations. Recommendations will be made based on the findings of the study.

Barriers to epilepsy surgery in pediatric patients: A scoping review

Abstract: Rationale Up to 40% of pediatric epilepsy cases are drug-resistant and associated with neurocognitive, psychosocial, developmental comorbidities, and risk of early mortality. Epilepsy surgery (ES) may be considered after the failure of two anti-seizure medications (ASM) to provide patients with the opportunity to attain seizure freedom. However, only a small proportion of eligible patients receive surgical treatment. This scoping review aims to elucidate barriers to pediatric ES to understand the reasons for its underutilization. Methods Embase, PubMed, and Scopus were searched from inception through August 2022 for the following PICO terms: “pediatric”, “parents”, “epilepsy”, “surgery”, and “decision-making”. Studies exploring barriers to ES were included and qualitatively synthesized. We adopted an inductive thematical approach, and barriers hindering ES were assigned to four thematic categories. PRISMA Sc-R guidelines were followed. Results Of 3400 retrieved studies, 17 were included. Barriers to ES were classified into 4 categories. Parental barriers originating from misperception, lack of knowledge regarding surgical outcomes, and emotional vulnerability were highlighted in 76% of included studies. Physician-based barriers, including lack of clinical expertise, trust, and communication, leading to inadequate informed consent and referral to surgical evaluation, were described in 65% of articles. Patient-based barriers were reported in 47% of studies and included clinical characteristics modulating acceptance of ES. Only 18% of studies described healthcare system-based barriers, including intricate insurance policies not adapted to sociodemographic disparities. Conclusion This study highlights the complexity of barriers to pediatric ES. Our findings emphasize the need for multileveled strategies to increase the utilization of ES among eligible pediatric patients.