Indian psychiatrists' attitudes towards electroconvulsive therapy.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Neurology
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains a controversial yet effective treatment in psychiatry.
• Understanding current attitudes among Indian psychiatrists towards ECT is crucial for its appropriate application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the attitudes, usage patterns, and experiences of Indian psychiatrists regarding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
• To identify prevailing opinions on the efficacy, safety, and necessity of ECT in modern psychiatric practice.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey was distributed to medical members of the Indian Psychiatric Society.
• Response rate was 28.8% (263 out of 913 psychiatrists).

Main Results:

• A significant majority (81.4%) expressed a favorable attitude towards ECT.
• Most psychiatrists perceived ECT as safe, cost-effective, and highly effective (79.8%).
• A majority disagreed that ECT should be a last resort (68.4%) or that drugs have made it obsolete (81%).

Conclusions:

• Indian psychiatrists generally support ECT as a vital component of psychiatric care.
• While acknowledging potential concerns like subtle brain damage (38%), most active users would undergo ECT themselves if indicated (82.9%).
• There is a recognized need for explicit guidelines for the proper use of ECT, particularly concerning its application in children.