The Finnish epilepsy care pathway has been published in Epilepsia Open . This Finnish model for epilepsy care provides a streamlined, multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, and combines modern digital tools, data sharing and peer support. The Finnish epilepsy care pathway can serve to model how integrated health care systems can effectively manage complex conditions.
"The Finnish model could serve as a template for other health care systems looking for a benchmark to improve their epilepsy care," says Professor Reetta Kälviäinen of the University of Eastern Finland, who chaired the national work group. Integrated care pathways are essential for consistent, effective epilepsy care, offering equal access and quality regardless of socioeconomic status. They must align with the WHO Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Diseases, ensuring best practices and cost-effective management.
The Finnish national epilepsy care pathway includes multiple levels of care, from initial diagnosis to long-term care for all types of epilepsy, with a specific focus on rare and complex cases integrated with the European Reference Network (ERN) for Rare and Complex Epilepsies, ERN EpiCARE. In 2017, the Finnish government nominated Kuopio University Hospital to coordinate diagnostics and care for severe epilepsy in Finland. A national multidisciplinary consensus panel, including specialists from both adult and pediatric neurology departments across a.
