Program Evaluation in Epilepsy Rehabilitation

The Vocational Services Program of the University of Washington Regional Epilepsy Center is described, and data relating to the first 106 clients who entered the program are examined. A major emphasis of the study was characteristic differences between those clients later competitively employed and program dropouts. Other study purposes related to examining client satisfaction ratings of different aspects of services and establishing whether a relationship existed between seizure occurrences and job loss. Stepwise discriminant function analysis indicated that "months employed in the last 24" appeared to be the stable discriminator between the employed and dropout groups. The group later employed averaged 12 of the prior 24 months in employment, whereas dropouts approximated 7. Associated psychiatric/addictions treatment was initially a key outcome discriminator, but it did not hold up on cross-validation. Subjects were more satisfied with individualized client services (e.g., counseling sessions) than with group activities (e.g., Job Club). As opposed to seizures, emotional/attitudinal difficulties with this rehabilitation population appeared to be the primary reason for job loss. A work adjustment or job station program can be critical for these individuals and others with neurological impairments. The importance of counselor follow-up after the initial job placement is also underscored. This program, with about half of its clients entering unsubsidized jobs, basically replicated the results of other community-oriented epilepsy rehabilitation programs.