Impact on psychiatric interns of watching live electroconvulsive treatment.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
The visual information on ECT reduced the interns' negative attitudes, in general; however, acceptance of the treatment decreased in a subgroup of interns.
Gazdag
Gabor
G
Szt. Laszlo Hospital, Budapest, Hungary. gazdag@lamb.hu
Sebestyén
Gábor
G
Ungvari
Gabor S
GS
Tolna
Judit
J
D000328:Adult; D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult