Healthcare professionals’ knowledge and experiences of caring for women with epilepsy in the perinatal period: A systematic review

Objective: To explore, appraise and synthesise primary evidence in relation to midwives and healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes and experiences of caring for women with epilepsy during the perinatal period. Background: Epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological conditions experienced by pregnant women. It is crucial that health care professionals involved in perinatal care are knowledgeable and competent in caring for women with epilepsy during pregnancy. Design: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies was conducted. Methods: Five electronic databases (e.g. CINAHL, Medline, PsychINFO, EMBASE and ASSIA), were systematically searched from inception up until September 2024 with no date, language or geographical limiters set owing to a dearth of research in this subject area. Two authors independently assessed the quality assessment and extracted data and data analysis followed the principes of narrative synthesis. Results: Fourteen papers were included for narrative synthesis. Three themes emerged: (1) Knowledge base; (2) Risk Perception; and (3) Strategies to enhance knowledge and care provision. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that healthcare professionals lack comprehensive knowledge required to care for women with epilepsy during the perinatal period and that there is little being done on these significant knowledge deficits which can impact on the health and wellbeing of this population. This study emphasizes the need to address the knowledge deficit on maternity epilepsy and makes recommendations on education and training toolkits for all midwives and healthcare professionals caring for women with epilepsy during the perinatal period.