Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42419737›Full record

ArticleEpilepsia2026

Information needs of patients considering epilepsy surgery: A scoping review.

Maren Kimura, Shahab Marzoughi, Ashley Truesdale, Diane L Lorenzetti, Colin B Josephson, Derek Payne, Churl-Su Kwon, Nathalie Jette

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Epilepsia, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Maren KimuraDepartment of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0847-5567
Shahab MarzoughiDepartment of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0416-5812
Ashley TruesdaleSchulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Diane L LorenzettiDepartment of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8423-3458
Colin B JosephsonDepartment of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7052-1651
Derek PayneCalgary Epilepsy Program, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Churl-Su KwonDepartments of Neurology, Epidemiology, and Neurosurgery and Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9904-2240
Nathalie JetteDepartment of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1351-5866

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveEpilepsy surgery is a recommended treatment for individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy. However, patients often face significant challenges in decision-making due to a lack of accessible and high-quality information.

methodsWe conducted a scoping review to identify the information needs of people considering surgery for epilepsy. Nine databases were searched between 1990 and 2025 to identify research relevant to this review. We included studies that described the information needs of people considering epilepsy surgery and that evaluated available resources to support this decision. Abstract screening, full text review, and data charting were done in duplicate. Risk of bias assessment was completed by one reviewer.

resultsWe identified 2949 studies, of which 18 were included, addressing the following topics: patient informational needs (n = 12), resources designed to support patients through epilepsy surgery decision-making (n = 5), and resource readability (n = 2). Themes of information needs included discussion of risks and benefits, personalized prognosis, medical assessments needed to determine eligibility, and procedure-specific outcomes. Six studies identified the importance of involving epilepsy specialists in information sharing, and six highlighted the importance of patient testimonials. Multiple studies suggested current resources lack clarity and consistency, and two identified average readability of available resources to be at or above grade 12 level. Five studies evaluated resources including a mixed reality education tool, a caregiver intensive information program, use of a decision coach, and a patient information program. Providing patient-centered information can reduce anxiety/depression and increase quality of life for patients and caregivers. SIGNIFICANCE: This review highlights critical gaps in the quality and accessibility of information for individuals considering epilepsy surgery. Patient testimonials emerged as a powerful tool in supporting informed decision-making. Future efforts should focus on developing culturally responsive, readable, and patient-centered resources tailored to diverse epilepsy populations.

Indexed as

Decision MakingDrug Resistant EpilepsyEpilepsyNeeds AssessmentPatient Education as TopicHumansdrug‐resistant epilepsyhealth literacypatient decision‐makingpatient information needssurgical delay

Identifiers

PMID42419737
PMCPMC13592495

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.