Current knowledge and attitudes of psychiatric nurses toward electroconvulsive therapy.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the current knowledge and attitudes of psychiatric nurses toward electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

DESIGN AND

METHODS

A quantitative, nonexperimental study was conducted at a large psychiatric hospital in the United States. The Questionnaire on Attitudes and Knowledge (QuAKE) Scale was used to conduct the assessment among a convenient sample of 158 psychiatric nurses.

FINDINGS: Participants' responses to questions that elicited knowledge of ECT ranged from 45% to 99% and positive attitudes ranged from 21% to 96%, revealing increased levels when compared with the low to average knowledge and positive attitudes noted in previous studies.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Targeted ECT education is needed among psychiatric nurses with limited knowledge and negative attitudes toward ECT.