The assessment of intern doctors' first aid knowledge regarding epilepsy before and after video simulation training

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the attitudes and knowledge levels of medical intern students at Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine regarding epilepsy and first aid for epilepsy, to identify factors affecting their knowledge levels, to evaluate the effectiveness of video simulation training in improving their first aid knowledge, and to investigate the adequacy of medical education in terms of first aid training for epilepsy and seizures. Materials-Methods: This intervention study was conducted with medical intern students who completed their sixth year of education in the 2021-2022 academic year of Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine. The participants' socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge levels related to epilepsy and first aid for epilepsy, their history of encounters with epilepsy and first aid, and evaluations of the video training were collected using a questionnaire consisting of a total of 20 questions. The questionnaire included knowledge-related questions, and the highest possible score that could be obtained from the questionnaire was calculated as 21. A video was created, providing brief information about epilepsy, seizures, their treatment, the importance of first aid, and a demonstration of first aid on a seizure model. A total of 102 medical interns completed the questionnaire, and after that, they were shown the educational video. The same questionnaire was filled out again by the same group of interns after the video. Results: Age, gender, and personal or familial history of epilepsy did not significantly affect the total scores obtained before video training. It was found that 97% of the intern doctors had received previous first-aid training, and 21% had previously performed first-aid interventions. Following the video training, a significant increase in knowledge level was observed regarding clinical signs of epilepsy seizures, ensuring a safe position during seizures, and conditions for calling an ambulance during a seizure. In the group that had never witnessed a seizure beforehand, the response "I would help" to the question "What would you feel if you saw someone having a seizure?" increased from 82% before the training to 91% after the training. In the group that had witnessed a seizure before, the answer "I helped" to the question "What did you feel when you witnessed a seizure?" was 40%. In response to the question "Do you consider your first aid knowledge sufficient?", the answers were 38% Yes, 55% Partly, and 7% "No" before the training, while after the training, the answers were 47% Yes, 49% Partly, and 4% No. The average score obtained by the intern doctors was 15.72 (±3.2) before the training and 18.36 (±1.64) after the training, showing a significant increase (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Seizures are common occurrences that medical intern doctors will frequently encounter in their professional careers, and incorrect interventions can lead to serious complications. Improving the knowledge and experience of medical intern doctors in first aid for epilepsy will enhance the quality of life for patients. Following video training, interns demonstrated increased theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as reduced levels of anxiety that are related to intervention. With revisions to the first aid training curriculum and an increase in the incorporation of video and practical training, it is believed that some of the negative attitudes observed in this study could be untangled. Keywords: Epilepsy, First Aid, İntern Doctor