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Administration of ECT by trainee psychiatrists

An audit of supervision, adequacy of tuition and attitudes

Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital, Pond St, London NW3

Amanda Thompsell, Registrar

Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital

Robert I. Tobiansky, Consultant

Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Colindale Hospital, London NW9

^* Correspondence

There has been increasing concern in recent years that trainee psychiatrists are not receiving adequate training and are not fully competent in the administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This has led to the publication of guidelines by the Royal College of Psychiatrists recommending measures to Improve supervision and fultion. This study compares the results of two surveys, five years apart, exploring levels of supervision, satisfaction with training and confidence in the procedure among trainee psychiatrists on the Royal Free Hospital scheme. The findings are discussed in the light of improvements to teaching of ECT in the interim. Continuing problems with supervision are highlighted, and the need for organised training is emphasised.