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Consent to ECT: patients’ experiences in an Irish ECT clinic

St Patrick’s Hospital, Dublin

Shane McCarron, Clinical Nurse Specialist

St Patrick’s Hospital, Dublin

James V. Lucey, Consultant Psychiatrist

^*St Patrick’s Hospital, PO Box 136, James Street, Dublin 8, email: jlucey{at}stpatsmail.com

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

The aim of this study was to examine the subjective experience of the procedure for obtaining consent for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in an Irish setting. A total of 89 consecutively treated patients were sent a postal survey at an average of 17 weeks after ECT treatment.

RESULTS

This survey revealed low rates of perceived coercion in relation to consenting to ECT. Overall, there were high rates of satisfaction with the consenting procedure in terms of information and staff support.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

In an accredited clinic, the consenting procedure can be conducted in an environment free of coercion, resulting in higher levels of patient satisfaction than previously reported.