A survey of psychiatrists' attitudes toward electroconvulsive therapy

Sixty-seven psychiatrists who were employed In state hospitals in Texas wer e surveyed about their attitudes toward use of electroconvulsive therapy (E CT) and the laws and regulations associated with its use. The majority of r espondents agreed with accepted professional guidelines on ECT usage and ha d a positive attitude toward ECT treatment, However, the number of referral s for ECT by these psychiatrists was low, perhaps due to the view that Texa s laws and policies about ECT are restrictive and limiting to patient care. The majority of respondents indicated that more professional education abo ut laws and policies related to ECT is needed.