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Despite substantial proof of its efficacy, there has been little systematic research of satisfaction with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among patients or their relatives. This study sought to evaluate satisfaction with the treatment among patients who had undergone ECT and their relatives present during treatment.Of the 110 patients who had received ECT over 2 years, 50 were eventually recruited. Satisfaction with ECT among patients and relatives was evaluated using the Patient Satisfaction Survey, a structured and comprehensive schedule used earlier in a number of similar studies.Slightly more than half of the patients of this study appeared to be satisfied with ECT, as reflected by overall levels of satisfaction (54%), satisfaction with the results of ECT (54%), satisfaction with the staff administering ECT (58%), and satisfaction with the positive effects of ECT on their symptoms (63%). However, a large number of patients (22%-50%) were unsure of their responses, although clear disapproval of ECT was uncommon. Relatives were significantly more satisfied than were patients on almost every aspect of the treatment. Despite high levels of satisfaction, participants expressed dissatisfaction about the amount of information before ECT, fear of ECT, and about the possibility of persisting cognitive impairment.Most patients, and particularly their relatives, were satisfied with ECT, but there were several areas of concern including the fear of ECT, lack of information, and the possibility of enduring cognitive problems. This study also underlines the need for a well-validated and reliable method of assessing satisfaction with ECT.

Objectives Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used frequently in many developing countries, investigations of patients' awareness and perceptions of the treatment are rare. This review attempted to pool the research evidence in this area from developing countries. Methods Electronic searches of databases using relevant keywords were supplemented by extensive manual checking of cross-references and other sources. Results Sixteen such reports were found suitable for inclusion. The limited data showed that patients were usually poorly informed about ECT, which was partly attributable to unsatisfactory pretreatment explanations received by approximately two thirds of the recipients. About a third also reported deficiencies in the process of consent, including a sense of coercion. Fear of ECT was reported by a significant percentage (36%-75%). Distressing adverse effects were frequent; memory impairment (25%-95%) being the most common one. Despite these problems, most studies found that most patients perceived ECT to be helpful and had positive views about it. Simultaneously, a sizeable percentage (10%-32%) was quite critical of ECT. In contrast, relatives of patients were invariably better aware, more satisfied with the experience, and had more favorable attitudes toward ECT. Conclusions Overall, the weight of the evidence supported the notion that patients undergoing ECT and their relatives are well disposed towards it. However, the lacunae in treatment highlighted by this review and extreme variations in practice of ECT suggest that much more needs to be done to improve the practice of ECT in developing countries, to enhance patients' and relatives' satisfaction with the treatment.

Despite its proven efficacy and safety, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has a negative image and attracts widespread public criticism. In contrast, perceptions of patients who have received ECT appear to be more favourable. This review intended to encapsulate the evidence on knowledge and views concerning ECT among its recipients.Extensive electronic and manual searches were conducted to identify all relevant studies on the subject.Seventy-five reports were found suitable. The evidence from these studies suggested that patients undergoing ECT were usually poorly informed about it. This was attributable to factors such as unsatisfactory pre-treatment explanations or post-ECT memory impairment. About one-third undergoing ECT reported feeling coerced to have the treatment. Fear of ECT and distressing side effects were also present in a majority. Despite these problems, a vast majority of patients perceived ECT to be helpful and had positive views regarding the treatment. Simultaneously, a sizeable proportion was quite critical, although little was known about the extent and nature of such disapproval.Overall, the weight of the evidence supports the notion that patients undergoing ECT are well-disposed towards it. However, much needs to be done to improve the practice of ECT and to enhance patients' satisfaction with the experience of treatment.

Evidence suggests that the actual experience of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has a positive impact on perceptions regarding the treatment among patients and their relatives. This assumption was tested by comparing relatives of patients treated with ECT with those of patients treated by other means.Knowledge about and attitudes toward ECT were assessed using specifically designed questionnaires among 206 relatives of patients who were undergoing psychiatric treatment but had never received ECT (non-ECT group). The results were compared with those obtained among 77 relatives of patients who had undergone the treatment (ECT-treated group).The relatives of the ECT-treated group were more likely to have acquired their information about ECT from physicians, whereas relatives of the non-ECT group usually relied on the media for this purpose. The relatives who obtained their information from physicians were more aware and more positive about ECT than those who obtained their information from the media. Knowledge about ECT was greater among relatives of the ECT-treated group than those of the non-ECT group. The relatives of the ECT recipients had significantly more positive attitudes toward the treatment, whereas the relatives of the non-ECT group were more often either ambivalent about ECT or critical of the treatment.Although the groups differed on certain clinical and demographic variables, these differences were unlikely to have influenced the results significantly. Thus, it was possible to conclude that sharing the experience of ECT with the patient had a significant and positive impact on the relative's knowledge and attitudes concerning the treatment.