Evaluation of Electroconvulsive therapy in Maamoura Psychiatric Hospital: Clinical practice and clinicians' Attitudes.

Abstract

Since ECT become controversial safe treatment for various psychiatric disorders, the ECT service was well established in Maamoura hospital since decades, Facilitations and anesthesia were improving over years. Our study aimed to counter social stigma and to make a step to improve service at Maamoura hospital .our results showed positive attitudes of physician towards ECT and slight improvement of practice according to the guidelines we used in our methods . We found some defects in the practice, lacking specific guidelines, variations between clinicians' perspectives towards ECT, weak coordination between service providers, lack of continuous psychoeduaction foe the public about ECT and insufficient documentation . We hope there is more studies concerning ECT and public , physicians and patients' attitudes which are in contact with Maamoura hospital and to make courses and lectures to encourage clinicians to improve their knowledge for use of ECT : patient evaluation, side effects, concurrent medications, consent procedures (with sample consent forms and patient information booklet),and encourage hospital managers to improve staffing, treatment administration, monitoring of outcome, management of patients following ECT, documentation .