[Variability in attitudes and use conditions of electroconvulsive therapy. Results of a preliminary study].
OBJECTIVE
Presenting the results of a pilot study on attitudes and use of ECT in Spain which was administrated to volunteers during a national congress of psychiatry.


METHODS
A cross survey on a sample of psychiatrists (N= 125) which is not representative enough who attended the congress. A descriptive analysis of the outcomes is made.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a statistically significant association depending whether ECT is used in the work place or not. When it is used, there are 100% favorable attitudes. On the other hand, only 36% attitudes are favorable when ECT is not used in the work place. It is typically applied within a period of 8-10 treatment sessions, with a mean frequency of three times a week, performed by psychiatrists who treat with this technique less than 10 patients per year and using facilities within 1 to 5 years old. Maintenance ECT is unusual and it is only performed in monthly or fortnightly sessions. The commonest anesthetic agents are Propofol and Thiopental but this is unknown by 27.6% of the practitioners. The outcomes are contrasted with the consolidated guidelines on clinical practice of ECT.
Bertolín Guillén
J M
JM
Hospital General Universitario, Diputación Provincial de Valencia, Spain. Jose.M.Bertolin@uv.es
Peiro Moreno
S
S
Hernández De Pablo
M E
ME
Sáez Abad
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires