Attitudes Toward Electroconvulsive Therapy Compared With Cardioversion

The aim of this study was to examine the patient preference for electroconvulsive therapy and for cardioversion. The latter was regarded as a proxy control group because each patient had also experienced a life-threatening illness for which there were both pharmacological and electrical options available.

A retrospective, semistructured, telephone survey of patients from a public, rural Australian hospital who had received either electroconvulsive therapy or cardioversion was undertaken.

Thirty-eight elderly patients were interviewed. Patients agreed that they would rather not have had their respective electrical treatments. However, both groups also rated their treatment as effective and agreed that they would have their treatment again.

Despite understandable hesitancies, patients can choose treatments because they are helpful.