Teh Serene P C, Helmes Edward, Drake Deidre G
Department of Justice, Western Australia.
Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2007 May;53(3):247-73. doi: 10.1177/0020764006074522.
Healthcare professionals have debated the use and effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for more than 65 years. Yet, knowledge about, and attitudes towards, ECT have not been thoroughly researched within the Australian community. This study focused on a Western Australian perspective on these issues.
The objectives were achieved with specifically developed questionnaires. Six hundred surveys were distributed across the metropolitan area of Perth, Australia.
A total of 379 completed questionnaires indicated that more than 60% of respondents had some knowledge about the main aspects of ECT. Participants were generally opposed to the use of ECT on individuals with psychosocial issues, on children and on involuntary patients. Public perceptions of ECT were also found to be mainly negative.
The findings suggest that clinicians should ensure that individuals recommended for ECT are knowledgeable about basic ECT processes and implications in order to ensure their full informed consent.
超过65年来，医疗保健专业人员一直在争论电休克疗法（ECT）的使用及效果。然而，澳大利亚社区内对于ECT的了解和态度尚未得到充分研究。本研究聚焦于西澳大利亚州对这些问题的看法。
通过专门设计的问卷实现研究目标。在澳大利亚珀斯的大都市区发放了600份调查问卷。
总共379份填写完整的问卷表明，超过60%的受访者对ECT的主要方面有一定了解。参与者普遍反对对有心理社会问题的个体、儿童和非自愿患者使用ECT。还发现公众对ECT的看法主要是负面的。
研究结果表明，临床医生应确保推荐接受ECT治疗的个体了解ECT的基本过程和影响，以确保他们能完全知情同意。
