Attitudes and Knowledge of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): An Exploration of Medical Students’ Perspectives

Botham, N. and Langan-Martin, J. (2023) Attitudes and Knowledge of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): An Exploration of Medical Students’ Perspectives. Royal College of Psychiatrists Annual Medical Education Conference, 17 -18 October 2023.

Abstract

Aims: We aim to explore knowledge and attitudes of medical students, before and after exposure to an online teaching session about ECT. Background: Adequate knowledge of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is essential for medical students; however, the effectiveness of the teaching delivered is not frequently studied. Methods: 4th and 5th year medical students at one Scottish University were provided with an online questionnaire before and after the ECT teaching session was delivered. The online teaching session involved going through learning resources which were created by a multi-disciplinary team who specialize in ECT. The questionnaire contained three sections: demographics, knowledge of ECT, and attitudes towards ECT. The knowledge and attitude sections were scored with a Likert questionnaire. Changes in scores were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results: 67 students attended the online teaching session. Response rate to the pre-course questionnaire was 68.7% (n=46) and the post-course questionnaire was 44.8% (n=30). In the pre-course questionnaire, medical students who had personal experience with mental illness (loved-one or self) tended to have more positive attitudes towards ECT and higher knowledge scores. 9 students had no knowledge of ECT. In the pre-course questionnaire, 32.6% (n=15) thought that ECT did not cause a seizure. A statistically significant increase in knowledge and attitude scores were found in the post-course questionnaire. Conclusions: Medical students should be taught about ECT during their psychiatric placement to improve knowledge and attitudes surrounding ECT. The online teaching session appeared to increased knowledge and improved attitudes towards ECT in this cohort of students

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: No
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Langan-Martin, Dr Julie
• Authors: Botham, N., and Langan-Martin, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Authors 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the authors

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