Child neurology services for children with epilepsy in Finland.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to describe healthcare organization, training of and needs for child neurologists, patient accessibility to services, and treatment paths of children with epilepsy in Finland.

METHODS

Data were collected from all geographic healthcare areas over Finland on training capacity in child neurology, number and density of child neurologists, and availability and accessibility of child neurological services. Data sources included the National Physician Register, Central Register of Healthcare Professionals of National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health, and phone and email inquiries to the heads of public healthcare units.

RESULTS

The overall density of child neurologists in Finland was 11.9/100 000 children aged 0-15 years or 8402 children per child neurologist (in 2018). There is a remarkable geographic variation, from 7.1 in northern Finland to 15.6 in the metropolitan area. However, waiting times for the treatment are virtually the same all over the country. According to the Finnish current practice recommendation from the year 2013 and again 2020, children with any first nonfebrile or complicated febrile epileptic seizure are invariably admitted to hospital for evaluation. Children with simple febrile seizures are recommended to be treated as outpatients by general practitioners or by experienced pediatricians.

SIGNIFICANCE

Child neurology services are today well provided and organized in Finland. While there is geographic variation in the number of child neurologists, the accessibility is virtually the same all over the country. A gap between the numbers of specialists at near-to-retire age and those in training is a challenge.