A Novel Refractory Mood Disorders and Electroconvulsive Therapy Elective for Medical Students: Fighting Stigma...

Treatment resistant mood disorders (TRMD) have a significant impact on patients and society. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been shown to be effective for treatment resistant depression (TRD). Despite the effectiveness and safety of ECT, there remains significant stigma surrounding its use. Studies worldwide have shown that many medical students receive their knowledge from the media, which often portrays ECT in a negative light, and very few have exposure to ECT prior to their psychiatric clinical rotations. In this article we highlight the importance of medical education and introduce a novel approach in helping to fight the stigma of ECT through educational intervention for medical trainees that combines active, longitudinal and theoretical learning. By ensuring that trainees have a robust education in this arena, we can help them educate patients about treatment options, improve confidence in prescribing and administering these therapies, and ultimately improve patient and societal outcomes.