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Impact on Psychiatric Interns of Watching Live Electroconvulsive Treatment

Received March 3, 2007; revised July 16 and November 11, 2007; accepted January 28, 2008. Dr. Gazdag is affiliated with the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatric Service at Szt. Laszlo Hospital in Budapest, Hungary; Dr. Sebestyén is affiliated with the School of Medicine at Semmelweis University in Budapest; Dr. Ungvari is affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry at Chinese University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong; Dr. Tolna is affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in the School of Medicine at Semmelweis University in Budapest. Address correspondence to Gabor Gazdag, M.D., M.S., Ph.D., Szt. Laszlo Hospital, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatric Service, Gyali ut 5-7, Budapest 1097, Hungary; gazdag{at}lamb.hu (e-mail).

OBJECTIVE: Watching a live electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) has both positive and negative effects on spectators. The authors aim to survey the attitude change towards ECT in interns after watching a live ECT session. METHODS: A 23-item questionnaire was administered to 66 interns before and after watching ECT. RESULTS: In five statements, the number of answers indicating negative attitudes decreased significantly after viewing ECT. A general change in attitude towards ECT depended on the interns’ knowledge about the treatment. In the group of interns claiming minimal knowledge about ECT, a positive attitude change toward ECT and an increase in the acceptance of ECT were found, while in the group with moderate self-rated knowledge no significant attitude change, but a decrease in acceptance, were detected. CONCLUSION: The visual information on ECT reduced the interns’ negative attitudes, in general; however, acceptance of the treatment decreased in a subgroup of interns.

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