International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) & UCB
World Premier of Play - Brain Storm - Encourages Optimal Communication Between People with Epilepsy and Healthcare Professionals
Sydney, November 7 (ots/PRNewswire)
- With Photos
The first live performance of Brain Storm, a theatre production focused on epilepsy was staged today at the 2005 World Congress of Neurology in Sydney, Australia. Brain Storm dramatizes the devastating effect that uncontrolled seizures can have on the lives of people with epilepsy. Seen through the eyes of an epilepsy specialist observing interviews of people with epilepsy, the performance brings to life patients' day-to-day challenges and the difficulties they face in communicating their experiences with healthcare professionals. The innovative platform sets out to improve patient-physician communication and is the first time within the area of epilepsy that theatre-based creative learning has been used as an education tool.
Following the performance, a panel of experts joined patient group representatives and people with epilepsy to debate the issues raised in Brain Storm. The discussion focused on the need for accurate and timely diagnosis of epilepsy, and the importance of individualised treatment if the ultimate goal of seizure freedom with minimal side effects is to be achieved.
Brain Storm was written by journalist and broadcaster Polly Toynbee in consultation with a panel of experts including epilepsy specialists and people with epilepsy. The play was commissioned by UCB, a biopharmaceutical company, in collaboration with the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), an organisation concerned with public awareness and understanding of epilepsy.
Philippe Ryvlin, Professor of Neurology at the University of Lyon, France, was consulted in the development of Brain Storm and commented, "The play issues a call to action for healthcare professionals and patients to improve how they communicate in order to build the partnership which should result in the optimum management of epilepsy."
Dr Michael Hills, International Bureau for Epilepsy commented, "Unfortunately a gap exists between the concerns of many people with epilepsy and what seems to be communicated with physicians. The objective of epilepsy management is to live without the medical and social consequences of the condition, and this can only be achieved via an open and honest two-way dialogue between the doctor and the person with epilepsy."
Reaction to the play was summarised by Professor Ley Sander, National Society for Epilepsy, UK who commented, "This play highlights some of the challenges we face in managing epilepsy. It is important that all patients receive regular treatment reviews and seek advice from the specialist who treats them, to ensure that their epilepsy is being managed optimally."
About the International Bureau for Epilepsy
The IBE was established in 1961 as an organisation of laypersons and professionals interested in the medical and non-medical aspects of epilepsy and is currently represented in 81 countries worldwide. The IBE addresses such social problems as education, employment, insurance, driving license restrictions and public awareness, and provides assistance by offering international support, by creating means for worldwide exchange of information and, where possible, by setting standards which provide an international policy focus and identity for all persons with epilepsy. The IBE works in close liaison with the International League Against Epilepsy, an organisation of medical professionals involved in the medical and scientific issues of epilepsy. For more information please visit www.ibe-epilepsy.org
About UCB
UCB - www.ucb-group.com - is a global biopharmaceutical leader with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, specializing in the fields of central nervous system disorders, allergy and respiratory diseases, immune and inflammatory disorders, as well as oncology. UCB key products are Keppra(R) (levetiracetam), Xyzal(R) (levocetrizine), Zyrtec(R) (cetirizine HCL), Nootropil(R) (piracetam), Tussionex(TM) CIII (hydrocodone polistirex and chlorpheniramine polistirex) and Equasym(TM) XL/Metadate CD(TM) CII (methylphenidate HCl). UCB employs over 8,500 people operating in over 40 countries. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels.
High resolution photographs to accompany this release are available to the media free of charge at http://www.newscast.co.uk (+44-(0)20-7608-1000)
Contact:
For further information about epilepsy please contact: Ann Little,
Administration Manager, International Bureau for Epilepsy, 253
Crumlin Road, Dublin 12, Ireland, Tel: +353-1-456-0298, Fax:
+353-1-455-4648, Email: ibedublin@eircom.net; For further information
on this press release, please contact: Eimear O'Brien, PhD, UCB,
Brussels, Mobile. +32-(0)-496-86-0211 (on-site at WCN), Email.
eimear.o'brien@ucb-group.com; Elaine Ferguson, Chandler Chicco Agency
, Mobile. +44-(0)-7979-905-270 (on-site at WCN) , Email.
e.ferguson@cca-uk.com ; Corinne Locke, Chandler Chicco Agency, Tel.
+44-(0)-20-7318-8310, Mobile. +44-(0)-7966-253-126, Email.
c.locke@cca-uk.com