Abstracts

RATIONALE: The work integration for pts with E is a complex process, where different variables, such as clinical, neuropsychological, socio-psychological, are involved. The aim of this study is to describe our experience on this issue, focusing on our results.
METHODS: Three projects on [dsquote]work integration for pts with E[dsquote] were carried out in Milan, from 1998 to 2000. They were financed by the Italian Ministry of Work, the Lombardy Area Funds as well as by the European Social Office. All the projects were led by AICE, Associazione Italiana Contro l[ssquote]Epilessia. Each project was addressed to 13 pts with E. They were offered the possibility of attending a computer course, lasting six months. At the end of this course the candidates had to complete a [dsquote] working stage[dsquote] in different professional institutions.
The selection of candidates was based on clinical and psycho-social variables: the clinical description of seizures, the neuropsychological evaluation, the psychological assessment, the social examination. On the basis of these factors a global evaluation was given to each candidate.
RESULTS: The results of our three projects were interesting. 40% of the candidates was able to find a job after completing the [dsquote]working stage[dsquote].
All partecipants increased their self-esteem and their quality of life; many of them for the first time in their life could be part of a professional activity, i.e. studing, working and interacting with people other than their own relatives.
CONCLUSIONS: These projects are very innovative for Italy; they can be considered an initial step to a larger national project on the work re-qualification of E patients.
Support: Italian Ministry of Work
Lombardy Area Funds
European Social Office