Electro Convulsive Therapy: Impact of an Educational Program in Developing Knowledge and Attitude of Psychiatric Nurses Working at Psychiatric Hospital Jeddah

Amal I Khalil,Aziza G Alsulami,Alaa Alfaisal

doi:10.13189/nh.2015.030304

Abstract

Objective: Despite the evidence based effectiveness of ECT in treating mental disorders, there are many misconception and lack of knowledge among nurses who are typically at the forefront of providing care before, during and after the procedure. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of educational program on the knowledge and attitudes towards ECT among nursing staffs working in psychiatric hospital, Jeddah. Participants and Methods: Quasi-experimental design was used with a convenient sample of 20 nurses' working at psychiatric hospital Jeddah affiliated to Ministry of Health. Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire consists 28 - items was administered before and after the educational program. Results: 80% of participants had more than 3 years of work experience The paired Test sample showed the significant difference the mean score of participants on ECT program pre-test was 65.4 and that their mean score of the total post-test was 71.4 and the difference is statistically significant in favor of the post-test ( t = 2.80, P 0.05) difference with their demographic background. Conclusion: Providing and expanding accurate knowledge about ECT is necessary in order to improve the attitudes towards ECT. Despite the limitations of the study, the findings were extremely promising.

Highlights

Since its introduction in the 1930s, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has received a great deal of attention [1].Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves the induction of a grand mal seizure through the passage of an electrical current to the patient’s brain with the aim of improving the patients’ mental status under anesthesia and muscle relaxant[2]
The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of educational program on the knowledge and attitudes towards ECT among nursing staffs working in psychiatric hospital, Jeddah affiliated to Ministry of health, Saudi Arabia
The majority of participants (80%) had more than 3 years of work experience at psychiatric hospital Jeddah in general; it is worth mentioning that all participants had an experience with ECT in particular

Summary

Introduction

Since its introduction in the 1930s, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has received a great deal of attention [1].Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves the induction of a grand mal seizure through the passage of an electrical current to the patient’s brain with the aim of improving the patients’ mental status under anesthesia and muscle relaxant[2]. Among the most common misconceptions which are believed to have been caused by the misrepresentation of ECT through Hollywood films and the media [8]. These misconceptions are as that ECT is used to punish patients if they don’t behave well, ECT is painful and that whole parts of an individual’s memory may be permanently erased. A study by Byrne, Cassidy, & Higgins, [9] has shown that the endorsement of previously mentioned misconceptions is greatest among individuals who lack experience and knowledge about ECT. Even in highly developed countries like Australia, studies have shown that misconceptions regarding ECT were common, especially among young and less educated groups [10]

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Conclusion