Investigating the factors that impede or facilitate the acceptance of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): perspectives from psychiatrists and patients’ companions

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to investigate the positive and negative factors that can influence an individual’s acceptance of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) from the perspective of psychiatrists and patients’ companions (PCs).Design A multicentre qualitative phenomenological study.Setting Cities of Shiraz and Fasa in Fars province.Participants Eight psychiatrists and 10 PCs were interviewed.Methods and analysis Semistructured interviews were conducted with psychiatrists and PCs in hospitals in Fars Province, Iran. The interviews focused on the positive and negative factors influencing the participants’ acceptance of ECT. Subsequently, the interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.Results In total, 8 males and 10 females participated. The average age of psychiatrists and PCs was 42.43±6.37 and 53.20±16.64, respectively. Furthermore, the average working experience of psychiatrists was 8.57±1.90 years. Five themes emerged from the interviews: feeling supported, awareness, communications between physicians, patients, and PCs, previous experiences of oneself and others, and hospital structure.Conclusions Our study provides valuable insights into the negative and positive factors that influence the acceptance of ECT from the perspectives of psychiatrists and PCs. The findings indicate important ways to enhance perspectives on ECT within the community.