A retrospective chart audit of electroconvulsive therapy at a regional Australian hospital. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stormont, Barry; Diedricks, Angelo A; Kidd, Garry
• Is Part Of: Australasian psychiatry. Volume 24:Number 5(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 496
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) -- chart audit -- Australia -- Far North Queensland (FNQ) -- regional mental health; Psychiatry -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1177/1039856216632397
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1039-8562

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the current study was to provide a contemporary review of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) practice in Far North Queensland, Australia. Method: Demographic, diagnostic and treatment characteristics were extracted from the hospital files of people who received ECT between 2011 and 2013. Data were quantitatively analysed and described. Results: Depressive illnesses were the most common indicator for treatment. However, psychotic illnesses also made up a large proportion of treated cases. The technical aspects of treatment were commensurate with previous Australian findings except for the higher incidence of bifrontal ECT and maintenance treatment. Conclusions: Further research is needed across Australia to determine whether the findings of the current study represent changes in Australian ECT practice.