Why is standardizing EEG reporting crucial for modern clinical practice?

EEG interpretation remains highly dependent on the physician's individual style. This variability in clinical reports can lead to confusion, hamper patient follow-up, and limit collaboration among colleagues. The IFCN and ILAE guidelines propose standardized formats, but their implementation is low in practice. Standardization not only improves communication between professionals but also strengthens diagnostic quality, reproducibility, and the possibility of structured statistical analysis.

By adopting standardized reports, a common language is created that improves the transmission of information between different healthcare professionals and institutions. For example, when reviewing a previous EEG performed at another center, a neurologist can quickly understand the type of findings and their classification without having to reinterpret subjective wording. This is particularly relevant in the context of consultations, collaborative research, and clinical audits.

Furthermore, standardization facilitates teaching and the training of new specialists by allowing for the development of comparable and objective materials. Implementing tools that automate this type of structured format allows international guidelines to be incorporated into routine practice without increasing physician workload, making it more practical and efficient.