Australian and US responses to electroconvulsive therapy dosage selection.

Autor: Little, John D., McFarlane, Jo, Barton, David, Varma, Shashjit L.
Předmět:
Zdroj: Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry; Oct2002, Vol. 36 Issue 5, p629-632, 4p
Abstrakt: Objective: The practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) varies considerably across sites with a lack of certainty as to what constitutes seizure adequacy. The aim of this study was to trial a method to explore decision making and to describe any differences between Australian and US practitioners. Method: Two hundred and thirty-six consultant psychiatrists from Australia and US were asked what dosage of electrical energy they would prescribe after reading a standardized clinical vignette in which an unremarked upon change in seizure tracings followed the first two treatments. Results: Considerable variability in the dosage was found with 17.3% decreasing, 46.8% maintaining and 30% increasing charge. Involvement in administration of ECT was unrelated to this decision. Conclusion: Standardized vignettes may be a useful method to assess clinicians’ responses in dosage selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index