Some influences on regional variation in frequency of prescription of electroconvulsive therapy.
A Republic of Ireland national survey of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) showed wide inter-hospital variation in ECT rates. Psychiatric admission rates, professional attitudes, and patient turnover were found to predict these rates. No significant association was found between ECT rates and public/private care or other socio-economic factors. A limited examination of British admission data revealed a similar set of correlations, suggesting that the findings may apply in non-profit health-care systems outside the Republic of Ireland.
Latey
R H
RH
Department of Psychiatry, Regional Hospital, Galway, Republic of Ireland.
Fahy
T J
TJ
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006777:Hospitals, Proprietary; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors