Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2021.328

ATTITUDES TOWARDS ECT: A SURVEY OF POLISH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Anna Antosik-Wojcinska ; Second Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
Gabor Gazdag ; Centre for Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, Jahn Ferenc South Pest Hospital, Budapest, Hungary ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Lukasz Swiecicki ; Second Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
Beata Majtczak ; Sixth Department of Psychiatry, Hospital in Gostynin, Poland
Janusz Rybakowski ; Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
Pawel Gosek ; Forensic Psychiatry Clinic, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
Adam Wichniak ; Third Department of Psychiatry and Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland

Abstract

Background: Although the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been well established, the utilization rate of ECT has
decreased in Poland in recent years. One of the main reasons could be the negative attitude towards ECT in the community and by
mental health professionals. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about and attitudes toward ECT in Polish mental
health professionals including psychiatrists and non-physicians: nurses, psychologists, social workers.
Subject and methods: Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in two large Polish hospitals were approached to
participate in the survey by completing a 28-item questionnaire. The specific hospitals have been selected due to the fact that they
were located in the same province of Poland (Mazowsze), had similar catchment area and profile, provided similar mental health
services with only one exception; one offered ECT while the other did not. Of the 185 questionnaires that had been distributed, 165
were completed yielding a response rate of 89.19%. The study population consists of 85 psychiatrists and trainees and 80 nonphysicians.
Results: Psychiatrists did not differ from other mental health professionals with respect to the knowledge and attitudes toward
ECT. However, there were significant differences in the attitude (9.1±3.8 vs 7.1±3.3; p<0.001) and knowledge (5.9±3.8 vs 2.8±4.1;
p<0.001) scores between those professionals, who have ever worked in a psychiatric ward where they could observe ECT sessions
and those who have not had such an opportunity.
Conclusions: Frequent witnessing of ECT sessions seems to be the most effective educational intervention to change negative
attitudes towards ECT.

Keywords

electroconvulsive therapy; ACT; attitudes; mental health professionals; Poland

Hrčak ID:

266017

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/266017

Publication date:

22.11.2021.

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