Patricia A. Gibson, MSSW
Assistant Professor
Interests: To provide patient education, individual, family and group counseling for patients with epilepsy and their families. Research interests include psychosocial issues in epilepsy, infantile spasms, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, women and epilepsy, adolescence and epilepsy, alternative treatments in epilepsy, and patient-doctor relationships.
Director, Epilepsy Information Service
Associate Director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
EDUCATION:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, Master of Science
Radford College, Radford, Virginia, Bachelor of Science
University of Virginia, Associate Degree
ACADEMIC CAREER:
Patricia A. Gibson, a native of Virginia, completed her undergraduate studies at Radford University with a major in sociology and psychology and a minor in history. She received a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She joined the faculty in Neurology in 1976 as Associate Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program. Throughout her career in epilepsy at Wake Forest, Ms. Gibson’s efforts have been three pronged in the areas of research, direct service and education.
Much of her research interest has been in the area of the psychosocial issues in epilepsy. Present research efforts are in the area of genetics of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and febrile convulsants, women and epilepsy and side-effects of anticonvulsants.
A major thrust of Ms. Gibson’s work has been in the area of education. She has given more than 600 lectures on epilepsy, presented 22 papers at national and international conferences, conducted 230 workshops and organized 37 national and international symposia on epilepsy. Ms. Gibson conducts an annual conference at the American Epilepsy Society meeting called the ADVANCES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF EPILEPSY AND THE EPILEPSY CLINIC designed for professionals on the front-lines of care. She conducts an International Conference on Epilepsy Care for non-MD professionals that are complementary to the Epilepsy Minifellowship for physicians conducted by the Department.
Ms. Gibson has conducted a program to teach children, specifically 4th grade students, about epilepsy in her community in an effort to prevent the stigma so often associated with epilepsy. In 1979 Ms. Gibson created the Epilepsy Information Service, a nationwide toll-free telephone information line. The first of its kind in the world, the Epilepsy Information Service makes up-to-date, accurate information on epilepsy available to professionals, persons with epilepsy and their families and the public.
PUBLICATIONS
Book Chapters
Gibson, PA. Social Services in Epilepsy, In: Alan B. Ettinger, Andres M. Kanner, eds., PSYCHIATRIC ISSUES IN EPILEPSY—A Practical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2007:489-501.
Gibson, PA. The Impact of Epilepsy on Relationships, In: Martha Morrell, Kerry Flynn, eds. Women with Epilepsy—A Handbook of Health and Treatment Issues, Cambridge University Press, 2003: 237-249.
Gibson, PA. Social Services in Epilepsy, In: Alan B. Ettinger, Andres M. Kanner, eds., PSYCHIATRIC ISSUES IN EPILEPSY—A Practical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment, Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2001:297-305.
Journals:
Vazquez B, Gibson P, Kustra, R. Epilepsy and Women’s Health Issues: Unmet Needs. Survey results from Women with Epilepsy. EPILEPSY AND BEHAVIOR, 10 (1), February 2007: 163-169.
Gibson PA. Beyond pharmacologic therapy quality of life issues and counseling needs of the newly diagnosed patient. JOHNS HOPKINS NURSING, 3 (3), February 2005:79-84.
Fisher RS, Vickrey BG, Gibson PA, Hermann B, Penovich P. The impact of epilepsy from the Patient’s perspective II: views about therapy and health care. EPILEPSY RESEARCH, 41 (1), August 2000.
Fisher RS, Vickrey BG, Gibson PA, Hermann B, Penovich P. The impact of epilepsy from the Patient’s perspective I: Descriptions and subjective perceptions. EPILEPSY RESEARCH, 41 (1),August 2000.
Shafer PO, Bare MA, Beck BP, Gibson PA. The newer AED’s: New Options and Nursing Challenges. Clinical Nursing Practice in Epilepsy, April 2000; 1:1.