Acceptance of the Use of Diazepam Rectal Gel in School and Day Care Settings

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify how often parents of children with epilepsy encounter barriers to the use of diazepam rectal gel in day care or school settings and how these barriers affect the child and family. Sixty-four parents completed an 18-item questionnaire documenting their experience with asking their child's school to administer diazepam rectal gel. No data regarding its actual use in the school was obtained. Forty-three parents (68%) had asked their school to administer diazepam rectal gel; 35 (81%) reported school agreement, and 8 (19%) reported refusal. In 5 of these refusals, the cited reason was legal concerns, and in 5 cases the refusal had some adverse effect on their family's life. Most children prescribed diazepam rectal gel do not encounter resistance to its use in school and day care settings. Barriers to its use are usually due to legal concerns and significantly affect the family's quality of life.