Nurses' knowledge of and attitude to electroconvulsive therapy

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Nursing
• Psychiatric Treatments

Background:

• Nurses' close patient contact influences their understanding and perception of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
• Existing research on nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards ECT yields contradictory findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding ECT.
• To determine if ECT knowledge and experience correlate with more favorable attitudes towards the treatment.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire study involving 211 registered and student nurses in a London Mental Health Trust.
• Utilized knowledge and attitude scales, alongside questions on experience and demographics.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between nurses' knowledge of ECT and their attitudes towards it.
• Increased years in mental health, higher professional grade, and greater patient contact correlated with higher knowledge.
• More extensive and closer patient contact correlated with more positive attitudes; registered nurses demonstrated superior knowledge and attitudes compared to students.

Conclusions:

• The interplay between knowledge and attitudes regarding ECT is complex.
• Nurses require early acquisition of knowledge and experience in ECT to provide optimal patient support.