OBJECTIVE Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder in the world and imposes a large economic burden on global healthcare systems, especially in low-income settings and rural areas as is found in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the high epilepsy prevalence, there are no systematic descriptions of healthcare provider (HCP) perceptions and needs in managing people with epilepsy (PWE) in Uganda. Identifying these perceptions and needs is crucial for understanding community priorities, thereby enhancing the development of culturally sensitive communications, interventions, and research approaches. METHODS In this qualitative study, we used semistructured interview guides to conduct focus group discussions that explored the perspectives of 32 providers of epilepsy care from health facilities around Mbarara, Uganda. Our sample included nonspecialized general physicians (n = 3), medical residents (n = 8), medical clinical officers (n = 3), psychiatric clinical nurses (n = 6), medical nurses and nursing assistants (n = 9), and other providers (n = 3), who were loosely grouped into discussion groups based on level or type of training. Self-assessed proficiency ratings were also administered to gain a better understanding of participants' confidence in their training, preparedness, and capabilities regarding epilepsy care. Thematic analysis of the focus group transcripts was conducted to ascertain commonly occurring themes about perceptions and challenges in epilepsy care. RESULTS Our analyses identified nine major themes that dominated the perspectives of the study participants: care management, medications, diagnostics, HCP training, human resources, location, patient education, social support, and community knowledge and beliefs. Proficiency ratings prioritized areas of confidence as knowledge related to referrals, psychosocial impacts, and seizure neurophysiology. Areas of need were revealed as knowledge of diagnostic tools and antiepileptic drug (AED) regimens. CONCLUSIONS Our findings delineate the perspectives of providers caring for PWE, with consistent recognition of challenges centering around resource augmentation, infrastructure strengthening, and education. Participants emphasized the urgent need to augment these resources to address limitations in medication types and access, trained human resources, and diagnostic tools. They overwhelmingly recognized the need for infrastructure strengthening to address human, diagnostic, medicinal, and capital resource limitations that place undue burden on patients with epilepsy and physicians. Providers indicated a clear desire to learn more about different diagnostic tools and medical management practices, potentially through continuing education, specialized training, or more intentional in-school diagnostic preparation. They also advocated for the powerful influence of patient and family education and clearly articulated the need for community sensitization and support. This article is part of the Special Issue "The intersection of Culture, Resources, and Disease: Epilepsy Care in Uganda".

中文翻译：

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医疗保健提供者对乌干达癫痫护理的看法

目标癫痫是世界上最常见的慢性神经系统疾病，给全球医疗保健系统带来了巨大的经济负担，尤其是在撒哈拉以南非洲 (SSA) 的低收入环境和农村地区。尽管癫痫患病率很高，但没有系统描述医疗保健提供者 (HCP) 在管理癫痫患者 (PWE) 方面的看法和需求。识别这些观念和需求对于理解社区优先事项至关重要，从而促进文化敏感交流、干预和研究方法的发展。方法 在这项定性研究中，我们使用半结构化访谈指南进行焦点小组讨论，探讨来自乌干达姆巴拉拉周边医​​疗机构的 32 位癫痫护理提供者的观点。我们的样本包括非专科全科医生 (n = 3)、住院医师 (n = 8)、医学临床官员 (n = 3)、精神科临床护士 (n = 6)、医学护士和护理助理 (n = 9)，以及其他提供者（n = 3），他们根据培训水平或类型松散地分组到讨论组中。还进行了自我评估的熟练程度评级，以更好地了解参与者对他们在癫痫护理方面的培训、准备和能力的信心。对焦点小组记录进行了专题分析，以确定癫痫护理中常见的看法和挑战的主题。结果 我们的分析确定了主导研究参与者观点的九个主要主题：护理管理、药物治疗、诊断、HCP 培训、人力资源、位置、患者教育、社会支持以及社区知识和信仰。熟练程度评级优先考虑与转诊、社会心理影响和癫痫神经生理学相关的知识。需要的领域被揭示为诊断工具和抗癫痫药物 (AED) 方案的知识。结论 我们的研究结果描绘了照顾 PWE 的提供者的观点，并一致认识到围绕资源增加、基础设施强化和教育的挑战。与会者强调迫切需要增加这些资源，以解决药物类型和获取、训练有素的人力资源和诊断工具方面的限制。他们压倒性地认识到需要加强基础设施以解决人类、诊断、医疗、和资本资源限制给癫痫患者和医生带来了过度的负担。提供者明确表示希望更多地了解不同的诊断工具和医疗管理实践，可能是通过继续教育、专业培训或更有意的校内诊断准备。他们还倡导患者和家庭教育的强大影响力，并明确阐述了社区宣传和支持的必要性。本文是特刊“文化、资源和疾病的交叉点：乌干达的癫痫护理”的一部分。或更有意的校内诊断准备。他们还倡导患者和家庭教育的强大影响力，并明确阐述了社区宣传和支持的必要性。本文是特刊“文化、资源和疾病的交叉点：乌干达的癫痫护理”的一部分。或更有意的校内诊断准备。他们还倡导患者和家庭教育的强大影响力，并明确阐述了社区宣传和支持的必要性。本文是特刊“文化、资源和疾病的交叉点：乌干达的癫痫护理”的一部分。