Key points
- The Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network works to improve the health and well-being of people with epilepsy through self-management.
- It develops, tests, and shares self-management programs and tools.
- Self-management programs help people learn strategies and skills to make good decisions about their health and to feel better while living with epilepsy.
Overview
The is a group of U.S. academic research centers working to advance epilepsy self-management through research, evaluation, and programs.
Self-management programs help people with epilepsy overcome common challenges, such as:
- Staying on track with medications and appointments.
- Talking to their health care providers.
- Handling stress and mental health challenges.
- Dealing with memory problems and stigma.
- Managing fatigue.
- Finding and using available resources.
Self-management programs
The MEW Network has created and tested 11 self-management programs since it started in 2007. The following programs have been proven effective and are available in some communities for adults with epilepsy:
- (Home-Based Self-Management and Cognitive Training Changes Lives)
- (Management Information and Decision Support Epilepsy Tool) — available in English and
- (Program of Active Consumer Engagement in Self-management in Epilepsy)
- (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) — available in English and
- (Self-Management for People with Epilepsy and a History of Negative Health Events)
- (Targeted Self-Management for Epilepsy and Mental Illness)
Funded partners and programs
The MEW Network's coordinating center and collaborating centers are supported by CDC. They work with associated members, partners, interested community groups, and people with epilepsy. Together, they develop self-management programs and make them available to people with epilepsy.
- Coordinating center—Emory University
- Collaborating centers—New York University, University of Arizona, University of Iowa, and University of Washington
- Associate members—Dartmouth College and University of Texas
- Partners—American Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance
Public health impact
Impact on public health science
The MEW Network has made important contributions to epilepsy self-management research.
From 2014 to 2024, the network:
- Published 63 articles on epilepsy self-management program development, implementation, and evaluation in peer-reviewed journals.
- Delivered 222 presentations, abstracts, and posters on different aspects of epilepsy self-management research.
- Established the first epilepsy , which includes 14 research studies. (Data are available to researchers through a data-use agreement.)
Impact on public health practice
The MEW Network's programs help people better manage their epilepsy and its effect on daily life. The network also works with partners, such as local Epilepsy Alliance offices, health care systems, and Epilepsy Foundation offices, to deliver programs in local communities.
From 2014 to 2024, the network:
- Trained more than 700 facilitators to deliver these programs.
- Collaborated with 38 partner organizations to deliver these programs.
- Used community-based participatory research strategies to reach hundreds of people with epilepsy who:
- Served as patient advocates to help guide program development and recruit participants.
- Participated in self-management programs to help evaluate their effectiveness.
- Helped share information about self-management program research results in presentations to local community groups.
- Served as patient advocates to help guide program development and recruit participants.