MANUEL GARCIA SERRANO

Name

Age

Country

Spain

Area

urban

Life course

working age adult

Need

Chronic conditions and / or social needs

Connectivity

broadband, smart phone, tablet, digital TV

The patient is a 35-year-old adult male with a partner, Alicia, with whom he lives in an urban area. The area where he lives is far away from the nearest hospital. Alicia works most of the day, so she is rarely at home.
Manuel suffers from epilepsy, which causes him to have epileptic seizures. In order to control his illness, he uses a series of instruments such as a bracelet equipped with advanced technology to detect epileptic seizures. This bracelet is made up of different sensors (an electrodermal sensor, which measures variations in the conductivity of the skin); a gyroscope, which detects changes in orientation; an accelerometer, which measures the movements and acceleration of the body; and finally a thermometer, which records the body’s temperature. The bracelet works by detecting an epileptic seizure and automatically sends an alarm signal to support contacts so that they can take immediate action to assist Manuel.

Internet usage

Mobile device skills

Affinity to new tech

Digital Health Literacy

Assistance (ICT use)

What's important to MANUEL GARCIA SERRANO

Controlling epileptic seizures.

Health concerns

Epilepsy problems.

Daily living

Manuel leads a normal daily life, is in good health, has a stable job, but it is dangerous for him when he suffers an epileptic seizure, which happens 3 or 4 times a week.

Health tests

General blood and urine tests.
Physical examination
Genetic testing
Neuroimaging tests (MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; CT, computed tomography).
electroencephalogram

Events, issues & personal concerns

Fear, discomfort, nervousness when attending an event away from home.
Anxiety about being with strangers.
Stigmatisation by society.
Adaptation of their life to a very restricted routine in terms of alcohol intake, sleep routine, correct intake of medication.
It is very important to maintain good and constant contact with the neurologist.

Treatment: medications, therapies, etc.

Therapies: psychological and social support so that the user learns to accept the disease and can comply with treatment.
Treatment: anti-epileptic drugs:
1. Classical:
– Carbamazepine
– Phenytoin
– Valproate
– Lamotrigine
– Levetiracetam

2. New:
– Gabapentin
– Oxcarbazepine
– Pregabalin
– Rufinamide

3. Latest generation:
– Slicarbazepine
– Lacosamide
– Parampanel
– Zonisamide

Healthy lifestyle habits
Surgery or neurostimulation

Own resources & assets / support

Resources and help from the Spanish association of people affected by severe epilepsy, scientific societies. The support guide for older people with epilepsy.

Care professional concerns

Keep calm and reassure the patient and family environment.
Control by the patient and/or family regarding epileptic seizures.
When having an epileptic seizure, to do as little damage as possible.
Reduce epileptic seizures as much as possible.

Needs

Organisation and management by the patient of the frequency of attacks, using tools such as a calendar and lists of medicines and dosages.
Regular visits to the doctor to monitor the disease.
Good lifestyle habits.

Developed by

María Fernández Merchán,Cristina Zafra Cano- Caballero, Juana Ruiz Serrano y María Paz Rus Ceacero