title: Attitudes Toward Electroconvulsive Therapy Compared With Cardioversion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the patient preference for electroconvulsive therapy and for cardioversion. The latter was regarded as a proxy control group because each patient had also experienced a life-threatening illness for which there were both pharmacological and electrical options available.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective, semistructured, telephone survey of patients from a public, rural Australian hospital who had received either electroconvulsive therapy or cardioversion was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-eight elderly patients were interviewed. Patients agreed that they would rather not have had their respective electrical treatments. However, both groups also rated their treatment as effective and agreed that they would have their treatment again.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite understandable hesitancies, patients can choose treatments because they are helpful.
authors.affiliation: From the Kapiti Community Mental Health Team, Capital and Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Little
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001315:Australia; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone