Improving epilepsy care access in western Kenya
Bridging the Treatment Gap by Expanding Access to Care for People with Epilepsy in Kenya (BEACON)
This project will use a simple electronic record and trained local health workers to help people with epilepsy in western Kenya start and stick with seizure medicines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323344 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be cared for through a new Epilepsy Medical Record System that tracks visits and medicines so clinics can follow up when needed. Local nurses and community health workers will be trained to deliver epilepsy care so more people can get treatment without always seeing a specialist. Staff will actively track patients and provide reminders or outreach to help people start antiseizure medication and maintain regular follow-up. The team aims to roll this out across clinics in western Kenya in a low-cost, scalable way so more people can benefit.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with epilepsy in western Kenya who need help beginning treatment or who miss clinic follow-ups are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People living outside the study area or those who need highly specialized tertiary or surgical epilepsy care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could help more people in western Kenya start and stay on antiseizure medicines, lowering seizure rates and related injuries.
How similar studies have performed: Task-sharing and patient-tracking have improved care for other chronic conditions in low-resource settings, but combining an epilepsy medical record system with task-sharing in this region is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Von Gaudecker, Jane — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Von Gaudecker, Jane
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.