Mental health professionals' attitudes toward and knowledge about electroconvulsive therapy at Weskoppies Hospital, South Africa.

PURPOSE: To investigate the attitudes toward and knowledge of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among mental health practitioners.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-three participants from five groups of mental health practitioners were included. Anonymous questionnaires were used.

FINDINGS: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Most of the questionnaires were completed by nurses (N = 142; 77.5%). Mean positive attitude scores were statistically different between the five groups, F(4, 178) = 2.63, P = 0.036). Mean knowledge scores between the five groups were statistically significant, H(4) = 30.0, P < 0.0001. Greater knowledge about ECT was associated with more positive attitude toward ECT, r(183) = 0.290, P = 0.01.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: ECT educational programs need to be provided to all mental health practitioners and the resulting effects on knowledge and attitudes studied.