title: A retrospective chart audit of electroconvulsive therapy at a regional Australian hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the current study was to provide a contemporary review of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) practice in Far North Queensland, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic, diagnostic and treatment characteristics were extracted from the hospital files of people who received ECT between 2011 and 2013. Data were quantitatively analysed and described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depressive illnesses were the most common indicator for treatment. However, psychotic illnesses also made up a large proportion of treated cases. The technical aspects of treatment were commensurate with previous Australian findings except for the higher incidence of bifrontal ECT and maintenance treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is needed across Australia to determine whether the findings of the current study represent changes in Australian ECT practice.
authors.affiliation: College of Healthcare Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stormont
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Older Persons Mental Health Service, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Cairns, QLD, Australia angelo.diedricks@health.gov.au.
authors.forename: Angelo A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Diedricks
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, College of Healthcare Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Garry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kidd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D011793:Queensland; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Australia; Far North Queensland (FNQ); chart audit; electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); regional mental health