title: Satisfaction with electroconvulsive therapy among patients and their relatives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite substantial proof of its efficacy, there has been little systematic research of satisfaction with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among patients or their relatives. This study sought to evaluate satisfaction with the treatment among patients who had undergone ECT and their relatives present during treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the 110 patients who had received ECT over 2 years, 50 were eventually recruited. Satisfaction with ECT among patients and relatives was evaluated using the Patient Satisfaction Survey, a structured and comprehensive schedule used earlier in a number of similar studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Slightly more than half of the patients of this study appeared to be satisfied with ECT, as reflected by overall levels of satisfaction (54%), satisfaction with the results of ECT (54%), satisfaction with the staff administering ECT (58%), and satisfaction with the positive effects of ECT on their symptoms (63%). However, a large number of patients (22%-50%) were unsure of their responses, although clear disapproval of ECT was uncommon. Relatives were significantly more satisfied than were patients on almost every aspect of the treatment. Despite high levels of satisfaction, participants expressed dissatisfaction about the amount of information before ECT, fear of ECT, and about the possibility of persisting cognitive impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most patients, and particularly their relatives, were satisfied with ECT, but there were several areas of concern including the fear of ECT, lack of information, and the possibility of enduring cognitive problems. This study also underlines the need for a well-validated and reliable method of assessing satisfaction with ECT.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Psychiatry, Krishna Rajendra Hospital, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore; and †Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Rajendra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rajagopal
authors.forename: Subho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakrabarti
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grover
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003625:Data Collection; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult