Cleveland Clinic
Epilepsy carePersonal decision guide
Private to this device

Your epilepsy decision guide

A clearer view of
your choices.

Epilepsy surgery or continued medication? Explore what each option could mean for you. Your priorities belong in the conversation.

A personal guide to share with your care team.

My epilepsy decision guide

Step 1 of 3

It can feel like an uneven choice.

An example, before your ratings

Your decision scale A balance scale. The left pan weighs toward surgery. The right pan weighs toward continuing medication.

BenefitRiskTaller weights matter more to you

What goes on the scale?

Start by noticing which parts of the decision feel most familiar.

You can move between steps at any time.

There is more to put on the scale.

A little space to think.

This guide helps you reflect on epilepsy surgery and continued medication, and prepare to discuss both options with your care team.

Go at your own pace

The first two steps show how the decision can feel. In the last step, you can rate what matters to you and save questions for your next visit. You can revisit any step.

Your care is personal

The scale reflects your priorities. It does not calculate medical risks or recommend a treatment. Your care team can explain how each consideration applies to you.

Your information stays here

Your responses are stored in this browser on this device. You can print a summary to share or clear your data at any time.

Reading your scale

Each weight represents a consideration. Green weights are benefits. Patterned gold weights are risks.

What goes on each side?

Benefits of surgery and risks of waiting weigh toward surgery. Benefits of continuing medication and risks of surgery weigh toward continuing medication.

Make the weights your own

In step 3, choose how much each item matters to you. A taller weight means it matters more. “Not sure” sets the item aside and adds it to your questions.

The scale shows the importance you give each item. It does not show the likelihood of an outcome. A balanced scale does not mean the medical risks are equal.

Clear your saved responses?

This removes your ratings and questions, along with your added considerations and saved snapshots, from this browser.

You can print your summary first if you want a copy.