[Family practitioner's and specialist's role in the care of the patient with epilepsy].

Differences of opinion between GPs and medical specialists about their roles in the care of patients with epilepsy make it difficult to improve this care. To assess the roles of GP and specialist care a random sample of 500 GPs and all clinical neurologists in The Netherlands were sent a questionnaire about their attitude and actual behaviour towards tasks concerning epilepsy. The response was 54%. Non-response analysis did not bring forward statistically significant differences. Both GPs and specialists considered further diagnosis and starting antiepileptic drug regimens tasks for the specialist. The treatment of attacks in the patient's home situation was considered by both groups as a task for the GP. About other tasks opinions were that they ought to be shared or opinions appeared to be divided. According to the authors tasks about which consensus exists as well as tasks about which opinions differ should be considered carefully: on management level by the Epilepsy consultation group of the Dutch Society of General Practitioners and the Dutch Epilepsy Federation, on care level by introducing a patient information card.