Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Is the practice of ECT ethical?

Max Fink1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Long Island, New York, NY, USA. mfink@sunysb.edu

The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry : the Official Journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry
|September 17, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) adheres to beneficence, non-maleficence, and autonomy principles. However, justice is often unmet, causing unequal access and prolonged suffering, though recognition of ECT

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Commentary on the APA Catatonia Resource Document: A Welcome Resource for Clinicians.

Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry·2025
Same author

Flurothyl Inhalation Therapy: Resurrecting an Alternative to Electricity Induced Seizures.

The journal of ECT·2024
Same author

The psychological and subjective experience of catatonia: a qualitative study.

BMC psychology·2022
Same author

Management and outcomes of catatonia: A prospective study in urban South Africa.

SAGE open medicine·2022
Same author

A prospective descriptive study on prevalence of catatonia and correlates in an acute mental health unit in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.

PloS one·2022
Same author

Appreciating Ladislas Meduna: Visionary Creator of Convulsive Therapy.

The journal of ECT·2022

Area of Science:

  • Medical Ethics
  • Psychiatric Treatments

Background:

  • The four core ethical principles in medical care are beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice.
  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) practice generally aligns with beneficence, non-maleficence, and autonomy.

Discussion:

  • The principle of justice is frequently compromised in ECT provision globally.
  • This injustice leads to ECT unavailability, exacerbating patient suffering and prolonging illness duration.

Key Insights:

  • ECT is increasingly recognized for its efficacy and greater societal tolerance.
  • Efforts are underway to establish standardized treatment protocols for ECT.

Outlook:

  • Addressing the justice principle is crucial for equitable ECT access.
  • Continued progress in recognition and standardization may improve global ECT availability and outcomes.

Related Experiment Videos