Examination of the Effect of Education About Electroconvulsive Therapy on Nursing Practice and Patient Satisfaction

Introduction: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedures require the work of a multidisciplinary team that includes an anesthesiologist, a psychiatrist, and a treatment nurse. Electroconvulsive therapy is treated like a minor surgical procedure that requires preoperative preparation and postoperative care. Aim: This research was conducted as a quasi-experimental study for the purpose of evaluating the effect of education about ECT given to nurses who work on a psychiatric ward. Sample: The research pretest sample was composed of 52 ECT procedures in which nurses participated in managing that were conducted between April and October 2006 on the psychiatric ward of Dokuz Eylid University Hospital. The posuest sample was composed of 52 ECT procedures in which nurses participated in managing that were conducted between January and March 2007 on the same psychiatric ward. Data Collection Tool: The observation form for the determination of nursing care in ECT and satisfaction form, which were developed by the researcher from expert opinion, were used for data collection. Data obtained were analyzed using the test for significance between 2 means. Results: The nurses included in the research received a total score of 4 for nursing care in ECT procedure before education and X = 11.5 after education. The difference in the mean scores for nursing care in ECT procedure before and after education was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mean score for patient satisfaction with nursing care in ECT procedure before education was X = 2.5 and that after education was X = 4.1. The difference between the 2 means was found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: Education given to nurses about ECT improved nursing practice and increased patient satisfaction. For this reason, it is recommended that nursing care in ECT continuing education be planned and given at regular intervals.