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1st International Training Course on Neuropsychology in Epilepsy held in Normandy, France, April 10–15, 2016
Author(s) -
Wilson Sarah
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/epi.13478
Subject(s) - neuropsychology , epilepsy , course (navigation) , psychology , medicine , medical education , psychiatry , engineering , cognition , aerospace engineering
To the Editor: Until recently, there have been no international training courses specializing in the neuropsychological assessment and treatment of people with epilepsy, despite the significant role played by clinical neuropsychologists in both routine and specialist epilepsy care around the globe. April 2016 marked the successful launch of the first summer school for specialized training in the neuropsychology of epilepsy, hosted by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Neuropsychology Task Force of the Diagnostic Methods Commission (2013–2017). The course was set in the picturesque countryside of Normandy in the Château de Rosay, situated on the edge of the Lyons Forest. The grand old world charm of the château accompanied by the delightful traditions of provincial French gastronomy created an ideal, convivial atmosphere for the delegates to engage in an intensive week of learning, to hone their skills in differential diagnosis and case formulation, and advance their expertise in the neuropsychological assessment and treatment of people with epilepsy. The content of the course built on the first set of international guidelines developed by the Neuropsychology Task Force that promote minimum standards of neuropsychological practice and training for the care of people with epilepsy. Our primary goal was to facilitate a deeper understanding of the principles of diagnostic neuropsychological assessment, as they relate to varying aspects of seizure presentation and its treatment in epilepsy disorders that present across the lifespan in a range of health care settings. The psychiatric and neurobehavioral comorbidities of epilepsy were also addressed, as were broader social and cultural factors to assist translation of practice to the local setting. Our second goal was to help delegates build a social network of colleagues that will endure beyond the program and serve as an ongoing source of professional support and development. This goal was facilitated by a lively program of social activities, including team-building exercises that required delegates to solve a series of brain teasers, and a taxing epilepsy quiz night, ironically subjecting neuropsychologists to some of their own medicine! Our “epilepsy night at the movies” considered how epilepsy has been depicted on the big screen, contributing to the many social misconceptions and stigma of epilepsy,