Knowledge and attitudes on electroconvulsive therapy in Germany: A web based survey.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to examine knowledge and attitudes on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among the German population.


METHOD
A web-based population survey based on a standardized questionnaire was used to examine knowledge and attitudes towards ECT as a treatment of severe depression among the general public (sample of 1000; representative in terms of age, gender and federal states of the German population).


RESULTS
ECT is not well known and negatively connoted among the German population. A higher level of awareness and knowledge about ECT correlates with higher agreement to treatment with it. The analysis of feedback from the open question underlines the complexity of ECT: on the one hand, negative attitudes, stereotypes, and associations, and on the other hand interest, willingness, and acceptance to deal with the method were shown.


CONCLUSION
The results suggest an urgent need for more information about the basic facts, psychiatric applications, and effectiveness of ECT in order to increase the level of awareness and knowledge, and thus the method's acceptance. An increase in acceptance would expand the therapeutic spectrum for the mentally ill. Correspondingly, persons affected and their relatives as well as physicians and healthcare professionals should be involved in awareness-raising measures.
['Wilhelmy|Saskia|S|', 'Rolfes|Vasilija|V|', 'Grözinger|Michael|M|', 'Chikere|Yvonne|Y|', 'Schöttle|Sabrina|S|', 'Groß|Dominik|D|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D003866:Depressive Disorder D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy D005260:Female D005858:Germany D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice D006801:Humans D020407:Internet D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D055815:Young Adult
Severe depression Stereotypes Acceptance General population Stigmatization