Effect of an Educational Video and Information Pamphlet on Knowledge and Attitudes About Electroconvulsive Therapy

Abstract

Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is considered an effective, yet underused and stigmatized form of psychiatric treatment. Public misconception can impact informed decision making, and therefore, it is important to educate the community with accurate and realistic representations of modern ECT. The aim of this study was to determine whether exposure to brief information packages developed in Australia leads to changes in attitudes and knowledge about ECT.Methods: A sample of 100 undergraduate psychology students and 88 volunteers from the general public were randomly allocated to view 1 of 3 resource packages (each containing an information pamphlet and videos totaling ~15 minutes): Concord Centre for Mental Health-Revised, Concord Centre for Mental Health-Original, and a generic information package on depression. Participants' attitudes and knowledge of ECT were assessed before and after psychoeducation using the Questionnaire on Attitudes and Knowledge of ECT (QuAKE).Results: Participants in the student and general population exposed to either ECT resource package showed significantly improved attitudes and knowledge of ECT compared with participants exposed to generic information about depression and its treatment. A fine-grained analysis of the QuAKE revealed that, although many aspects of knowledge and attitudes improved after exposure to ECT information packages, some remained unchanged.Conclusions: Brief education through information resources in video and written format can markedly improve attitudes and knowledge toward ECT. Further research is recommended to determine whether the resources contribute to informed decision making of consumers with mental illness, especially those who are candidates for ECT.

Challenging stigma and attitudes towards ECT via an educational video

“…For example, after watching the video, more participants considered ECT to be life‐saving at time, would advise a close relative to receive ECT if recommended, did not perceive ECT to be an inhumane treatment and did not consider ECT to be cruel. This was similar to other studies which indicated that viewing of an ECT video improved knowledge and stigma towards ECT (Nagarajan et al, 2021; Shin et al, 2022; Tsai et al, 2020). However, there were some aspects of beliefs that remain unchanged such as prescribing ECT to someone against their wishes; and believing that other treatment options are not possible in case of ECT failure.…”