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. 2022 Feb;46(1):4-10.
doi: 10.1192/bjb.2021.5.

Improving attitudes toward electroconvulsive therapy

Oakley Cheung  1 , Marc Baker  1 , Paul Tabraham  2
Affiliations

Improving attitudes toward electroconvulsive therapy

Oakley Cheung et al. BJPsych Bull. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Aims and method: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) often causes fear in the general public because of media representation and negative reported side-effects. This study evaluates a new video focusing on experiences of ECT and how this can aid communicating medical information to the public. Knowledge and attitudes toward ECT after watching the video were compared with a group that received no information and a group that read the current NHS leaflet on ECT. The role of empathy was also considered as a covariate.

Results: The video was the only condition found to positively affect knowledge and attitudes toward ECT. The video was especially beneficial to those that possessed low perspective-taking trait empathy.

Clinical implications: These findings demonstrate the video improved knowledge and attitudes toward ECT compared with current material or no information. We suggest that the addition of personal experiences to public information adds perspective, improving overall attitudes toward health treatments.

Keywords: Electroconvulsive therapy; education; patient information; perspective-taking; trait empathy.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of electroconvulsive therapy knowledge scores across each information condition (points represent individual participant ratings).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Distribution of electroconvulsive therapy attitude scores across each information condition (points represent individual participant ratings).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Relationship between perspective-taking and attitudes toward electroconvulsive therapy in each of the information conditions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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