{"id":"77665d3a-685a-4396-b150-b4fc6d462bcd","slug":"steps-toward-narrowing-the-surgical-epilepsy-treatment-gap-through-private-practice","title":"Steps toward narrowing the surgical epilepsy treatment gap through private practice","authors":["Christopher Markosian","Luke D. Tomycz"],"abstract":"Background: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) significantly impacts patients' quality of life, yet its treatment through surgery remains underutilized. Despite the effectiveness and safety of epilepsy surgery, many patients do not learn about or undergo the procedure, leading to a substantial treatment gap. The need for increased surgical capacity is critical, especially as mortality rates associated with epilepsy continue to rise. Summary: The Epilepsy Institute of New Jersey has successfully established a large surgical epilepsy practice, projecting over 120 major cases from 2019 to 2023. Various strategies, including multidisciplinary clinics and enhanced communication with other medical specialties, have been implemented to identify and treat surgical candidates more effectively. The practice has demonstrated that private practice can play a vital role in addressing the surgical treatment gap for DRE. Conclusion: Private practice can significantly contribute to closing the surgical treatment gap for drug-resistant epilepsy, complementing the efforts of academic medical centers. By leveraging high-quality resources and a collaborative approach, more patients can attain seizure freedom. The evolution of surgical practices in private settings is essential for addressing the challenges faced by patients with DRE. Keywords: drug-resistant epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, private practice, surgical treatment gap, quality of life, multidisciplinary care, neurosurgery","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/77665d3a-685a-4396-b150-b4fc6d462bcd/featured/hero-1781559798687.png","publishDate":"2024-01-19T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_711_2023","categories":["Epilepsy","Letter to the Editor"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/77665d3a-685a-4396-b150-b4fc6d462bcd/pdf"}