The Effect of Neurology Rotation on Medical Students’ Knowledge About Epilepsy and Attitudes Toward Disease

Objective: Negative attitudes toward epilepsy remain a common social or personal challenges for individuals with epilepsy. Limited knowledge levels and misconceptions are the main factors underlying stigmatization. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of neurology rotation on medical students' knowledge about epilepsy, approach to acute seizures, and attitudes toward epilepsy. The influence of epilepsy-related knowledge on attitudes toward the disease was also examined. Methods: A total of 116 fifth-year medical students were included in the study and assessed twice: on the first day of the neurology rotation (pre-test) and on the final day of the 3-week rotation (post-test). All assessments were administered online using the “knowledge about epilepsy”, “approach to epileptic seizure” and “attitudes toward epilepsy” questionnaires. Pre-post changes in total scores were analyzed, and regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with attitudes. Results: Students’ total knowledge scores increased significantly following the rotation (p=0.001). In contrast, no significant difference was observed in total attitudes score between pre-test and post-test (p=0.202). Regression analysis demonstrated that higher knowledge levels and male gender were independently associated with more positive attitudes toward epilepsy. Conclusion: The neurology rotation resulted in a significant improvement in medical students’ knowledge about epilepsy; however, it did not lead to measurable changes in attitudes. These findings indicate that additional or alternative educational strategies may be necessary to influence attitudes toward epilepsy.