Electroconvulsive therapy: Relating attitude towards treatment and knowledge among mental health professionals in a mental health center

Background: The efficacy and safety of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) are well established; nevertheless, public attitude remains stigmatic. To date, few studies have been published that examine the attitudes and practical knowledge of medical staff with regards to ECT. Moreover, the attitudes of different parts of mental health staff still need to be explored. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes towards ECT of mental health staff in different disciplines. Methods: A multi-group comparative study used questionnaires translated from several similar studies; 120 questionnaires were distributed equally to four groups of professionals in mental health centers in Beer Yaakov-Ness Ziona Complex: psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and social workers. The questionnaires aimed to measure knowledge and attitude towards ECT treatment. Results: The questionnaires showed significant differences in knowledge, subjective knowledge and, respectively, attitudes. Psychiatrists and nursing staff demonstrated higher knowledge and more positive approaches compared with social workers and psychologists. No significant differences were found between the knowledge and attitudes of psychiatrists, psychiatry residents and nursing staff. Conclusions: The mental health sector can serve as an indicator of the level of knowledge and attitude towards ECT treatment. It is necessary to recognize the differences between various sectors and to deepen our knowledge regarding this treatment to all sectors, especially social workers and psychologists.