Recipients' experience with information provision for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Patient Experience Research
• Health Communication

Background:

• Information provision regarding electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) remains suboptimal despite advancements.
• Patients frequently report inadequate information before, during, and after ECT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient experiences with information provision during electroconvulsive treatment (ECT).
• To identify deficits in pre-treatment knowledge, informed consent processes, and post-treatment support.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with 21 adult participants (aged 21-65).
• Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes in patient experiences.
• User involvement was integrated into the study design.

Main Results:

• A majority of participants experienced an educational deficit throughout their ECT treatment.
• Informed consent was often based on limited oral information and insufficient online resources.
• Patients reported a lack of follow-up services for neuropsychological concerns post-ECT.

Conclusions:

• Enhanced access to factual and narrative information is vital for patient education and autonomy in ECT.
• Improved follow-up services, varied media representations, and diary writing can enhance the ECT experience.
• Addressing information gaps is essential for improving consent processes and reducing ECT-related stigma.