Stigma Regarding Electroconvulsive Therapy Among Healthcare Professionals

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Healthcare Professional Education

Background:

• Stigma surrounding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) impacts training and treatment accessibility.
• Variability in ECT application exists due to professional attitudes and knowledge gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the attitudes and knowledge of healthcare professionals concerning electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
• To identify demographic factors influencing ECT attitudes and knowledge.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 215 healthcare professionals in Vallès Oriental, Barcelona.
• Utilized the translated Questionnaire on Attitudes and Knowledge of ECT (QuAKE).
• Analyzed data using bivariate descriptive statistics to explore relationships between variables.

Main Results:

• Female professionals, those under 30 or over 50, nursing assistants, and those without ECT exposure reported less favorable attitudes and lower knowledge.
• A positive correlation was found between ECT knowledge and attitude.
• Nursing assistants exhibited the most unfavorable attitudes and lowest knowledge; social workers had favorable attitudes despite limited knowledge.

Conclusions:

• Nursing assistants represent a key group requiring targeted education to improve ECT understanding and attitudes.
• Social workers demonstrate a favorable attitude towards ECT, though knowledge gaps persist.
• The positive correlation between knowledge and attitude suggests that educational interventions can potentially mitigate negative perceptions of ECT.