Information, consent and perceived coercion: patients' perspectives on electroconvulsive therapy.

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure that attracts special safeguards under common law for voluntary patients and under both current and proposed mental health legislation, for those receiving compulsory treatment.

Aims: To review patients' views on issues of information, consent and perceived coercion.

Method: Seventeen papers and reports were identified that dealt with patients' views on information and consent in relation to ECT; 134 'testimonies' or first-hand accounts were identified.