Patients’ experiences and attitudes towards ECT treatment: a descriptive literature review
Varjola, Aleksi (2023)
Varjola, Aleksi
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202304104973
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202304104973
Tiivistelmä
Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) is a procedure that is performed while under general anesthesia, in which tiny electric currents are transmitted to the brain, purposefully causing a short-term seizure. ECT appears to alter brain chemistry that can rapidly alleviate the symptoms of many psychiatric disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In severe cases, ECT can be more effective and respond faster than medications. ECT can be a valuable treatment option when other therapies have failed.
The purpose of this thesis is to map out and analyze patients’ experiences, attitudes, and recommendations toward ECT treatment. Moreover, the aim of this thesis is to provide beneficial information that can be utilized in the Nursing degree program, particularly in mental health education. Provided data can benefit nursing students if they choose to work in the mental health field in the future. A thesis can also be used as a general handbook for ECT treatment.
This thesis was done by a descriptive literature review, which studies already published research data. The data was gathered from two international databases: Academic search complete and Cinahl. Ten (n=10) articles were chosen from these databases for the analysis phase, which was conducted by content analysis. Three articles were qualitative, and seven were quantitative. In analyze phase, data was categorized into positive and negative experiences. In addition, patients’ attitudes were categorized into positive attitudes and factors that impact attitudes. Finally, recommendations were categorized into recommendations to improve patients’ experiences towards ECT treatment.
According to the study results, most patients described ECT treatment as more rapid acting and effective than medications. Overall, ECT presented itself as a life-saving and beneficial treatment. Also, most patients had positive attitudes towards it because they were ready to repeat the treatment if necessary. Moreover, factors that influence patients’ attitudes are past experiences, knowledge, and information sources. Most common and feared negative experience was memory impairment. Other adverse experiences were anesthesia-related side effects such as nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and headache. Patients recommended improvements for patient education which consisted of the flow of information and communication skills during all phases of ECT treatment. Overall, study results indicate that ECT’s treatment benefits outweighed the disadvantages. Therefore, ECT can be seen as a recommended and effective treatment for severe psychiatric disorders, especially when a fast response is required. As a result, it is relevant to mention this treatment option in mental health education.
The purpose of this thesis is to map out and analyze patients’ experiences, attitudes, and recommendations toward ECT treatment. Moreover, the aim of this thesis is to provide beneficial information that can be utilized in the Nursing degree program, particularly in mental health education. Provided data can benefit nursing students if they choose to work in the mental health field in the future. A thesis can also be used as a general handbook for ECT treatment.
This thesis was done by a descriptive literature review, which studies already published research data. The data was gathered from two international databases: Academic search complete and Cinahl. Ten (n=10) articles were chosen from these databases for the analysis phase, which was conducted by content analysis. Three articles were qualitative, and seven were quantitative. In analyze phase, data was categorized into positive and negative experiences. In addition, patients’ attitudes were categorized into positive attitudes and factors that impact attitudes. Finally, recommendations were categorized into recommendations to improve patients’ experiences towards ECT treatment.
According to the study results, most patients described ECT treatment as more rapid acting and effective than medications. Overall, ECT presented itself as a life-saving and beneficial treatment. Also, most patients had positive attitudes towards it because they were ready to repeat the treatment if necessary. Moreover, factors that influence patients’ attitudes are past experiences, knowledge, and information sources. Most common and feared negative experience was memory impairment. Other adverse experiences were anesthesia-related side effects such as nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and headache. Patients recommended improvements for patient education which consisted of the flow of information and communication skills during all phases of ECT treatment. Overall, study results indicate that ECT’s treatment benefits outweighed the disadvantages. Therefore, ECT can be seen as a recommended and effective treatment for severe psychiatric disorders, especially when a fast response is required. As a result, it is relevant to mention this treatment option in mental health education.