PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION REGARDING ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY USING AUDIOVISUAL AIDS IN CAREGIVERS OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS

Dr. Heena Merchant; Dr. Pulkit Kaushal; Dr. Abha Thakurdesai; Dr. Ajita S. Nayak; Dr. S.R.Parkar

Volume : VII, Issue : IX, September - 2017

PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION REGARDING ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY USING AUDIOVISUAL AIDS IN CAREGIVERS OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS

Dr. Heena Merchant, Dr. Pulkit Kaushal, Dr. Abha Thakurdesai, Dr. Ajita S. Nayak, Dr. S. R. Parkar

Abstract :

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy continues to arouse public hostility, despite its proven safety and efficacy in the treatment of severe psychiatric illness. Certain factors such as social stigma, inadequate undergraduate training, doubts about its efficacy and safety and ambivalence among psychiatrists have limited the use of ECT. The aim of the study was To study the knowledge, attitude and perception in the caregivers of schizophrenic patients about ECT and to study changes in above parameters in caregivers after psychoeducating them about ECT.

Methodology: The study was carried out at the department of psychiatry of a tertiary–care multi–speciality hospital in Mumbai. In span of 3 months out of 312 patients 187 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally 103 caregivers of schizophrenic patients in whom ECT had been planned, were selected. A semi–structured 37 item questionnaire was made. Initial questions comprised of the mode of their earlier knowledge of ECT. Out of these 37 questions, 29 questions assessed the knowledge and perception about ECT and last 8 questions assessed the attitude towards ECT. The data was analyzed and presented.

Results: Media being important source of knowledge of ECT should portray safety and effectiveness of procedure. Most people had seen ECT as shown in movies and at the start of the study the caregivers showed lacunae in their Knowledge, Attitude and Perception towards ECT. The treating psychiatrist play important role in imparting psycho–education in all aspects of ECT and was the main factor that influenced a change in attitude and perception. Audio–visual aids as psycho–education had positive impact on Knowledge, Attitude and Perception about ECT. An improvement in knowledge has positive impact on attitude of caregivers regarding ECT and must be included in routine clinical practice of management of schizophrenia.

Conclusions: It is essential that psychoeducation about ECT be included in routine treatment programmes in the management of patients with schizophrenia.