Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Referral Workshop for Depression: Assessing Patients and Addressing Stigma

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Medical Education
• Somatic Treatments

Background:

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective psychiatric treatment with proven efficacy and rapid response.
• Despite its benefits, ECT is underutilized in the US due to knowledge gaps, misinformation, and stigma among patients and providers.
• Barriers to ECT access include a lack of provider knowledge, negative attitudes, bias, and stigma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a workshop aimed at improving trainees' ability to assess patients for ECT referral.
• To address and reduce stigma and bias associated with electroconvulsive therapy among behavioral health professionals.
• To enhance educational scholarship in ECT by building trainee confidence.

Main Methods:

• A 90-minute workshop was designed using Kern's six-step approach and affective context learning theory.
• The workshop was delivered to 50 psychiatry and behavioral health trainees, including pre- and post-assessments.
• Learning objectives were assessed using paired-samples t-tests and qualitative feedback.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant improvements were observed in participants' knowledge and confidence across most learning objectives post-workshop.
• Qualitative feedback indicated a positive reception to the workshop's engaging design and presentation.
• Participants reported at least a 50% normalized gain in self-assessed learning for all objectives.

Conclusions:

• The developed workshop is an effective educational tool for improving ECT referral assessment skills.
• The intervention successfully addressed trainee confidence in managing ECT stigma and bias.
• This contributes to the body of knowledge on ECT education and practice.