Table 3.

Interview procedure.

Interview phase	Inquiries	Approximate duration
‘Open’ phase	What were your expectations when you came to the hospital?	10 min
Elicited seizure episode accounts	Can you tell me about the first seizure you can remember? Can you tell me about the last seizure you can remember? Can you tell me about the worst seizure You can remember?	10 min
‘Challenge’ phase	Inquiry or inquiries challenging the patient’s description	5 min
Topic shift	Can you tell me about things which You enjoy doing?	5 min
Doctor’s instructions

Avoid introducing new topics

Tolerate silence

Use continuers (mmm, right etc.) to indicate continued attention

Repeat what the patient has said to encourage elaboration