Impact on psychiatric interns of watching live electroconvulsive treatment.

Objective: Watching a live electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) has both positive and negative effects on spectators. The authors aim to survey the attitude change towards ECT in interns after watching a live ECT session.

Methods: A 23-item questionnaire was administered to 66 interns before and after watching ECT.

Results: In five statements, the number of answers indicating negative attitudes decreased significantly after viewing ECT. A general change in attitude towards ECT depended on the interns' knowledge about the treatment. In the group of interns claiming minimal knowledge about ECT, a positive attitude change toward ECT and an increase in the acceptance of ECT were found, while in the group with moderate self-rated knowledge no significant attitude change, but a decrease in acceptance, were detected.

Conclusion: The visual information on ECT reduced the interns' negative attitudes, in general; however, acceptance of the treatment decreased in a subgroup of interns.