The Study of Education Effect on Knowledge of, and Attitudes Toward Electroconvulsive Therapy Among Iranian Nurses and Patients’ Relatives in a Psychiatric Hospital, 2009-2010

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a cost effective method in the treatment of some psychiatric disorders. Although, service users such as health providers and nurses, also patients and their relatives may refuse ECT when indicated, due to the myths and little or lack of knowledge about the procedure. The knowledge of and attitudes toward ECT among nurses, may reflect on patients and influence treatment choice. For doing this procedure relatives informed consent is necessary, so their knowledge of and attitude toward ECT is important for getting informed consent and following treatment sessions. Objective: This research was conducted as a quasi-experimental study to measure knowledge of and attitudes toward ECT in 2 groups: relatives and nursing. Also, to study the effect of education on knowledge of and attitudes toward ECT in 2 groups. Methods: In this research the pre and post test self – administered questionnaires were completed by 46 relatives and 46 nurses before and after education about ECT. Results: Nurses in this research received a mean score of X = 34.97 knowledge before education and X = 39.78 after education (t = 2.02, p < 0.05), and a mean score of X = 33.41 attitude before education and, X = 42.82 after education (t = -14.25, p < 0.001). Relatives received a mean score of X = 23.41 knowledge before education and X = 30.15 after education (t = -12.44, p < 0.001), and a mean score of X = 33.39 attitude before education and, X = 41.13 after education (t = -9.10, p < 0.001). The differences between the 2 means among two groups were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Education given to nurses and relatives about ECT increased their knowledge of, and improved their attitudes toward ECT. For this reason it is recommended that continuing education about ECT process should be planned and given at regular intervals.