Eletroconvulsoterapia (ECT) em perspectiva: uma pesquisa de opinião entre psiquiatras formados pelo SPPM-HUCFF-UFRJ

Abstract

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is an effective and safe treatment for individuals with severe mental disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia, among others. However, despite its efficacy, ECT faces stigma and misinformation, exacerbated by negative media portrayals. This study investigated the perceptions of psychiatrists who trained at the Psychiatry and Medical Psychology Service at the Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital (HUCFF) and third-year psychiatry residents from the same service regarding ECT, using an online questionnaire. Of the 34 eligible psychiatrists, 33 responded, showing a significant shift in opinions on ECT throughout their academic training. Before medical school, 75.8% of participants had no opinion on ECT. Between graduation and the start of their medical residency, 21 participants (63.6%) were favorable, 1 (3.0%) was opposed, and 11 (33.3%) remained neutral. After residency, 32 participants (97%) expressed a favorable view of the treatment. These results indicate that practical experience and theoretical education are essential to demystifying ECT and increasing its acceptance among healthcare professionals. Additionally, the growing use of ECT outside of residency reflects evolving attitudes toward the treatment, highlighting an acknowledgment of the need for effective therapeutic approaches for patients with treatment-resistant mental disorders who do not adequately respond to conventional therapies. However, the study also highlighted that pressure from other healthcare professionals can negatively influence the decision to recommend ECT, underscoring the importance of increased interprofessional collaboration and ongoing education on this topic. The conclusions point to the need for curricular revisions in medical education and the implementation of public policies that promote evidence-based education, aimed not only at destigmatizing ECT but also at accepting it as a valid therapeutic option. Thus, it is concluded that robust education and destigmatization are essential to expanding the use of ECT and improving access to this vital treatment for patients in need of effective interventions on their recovery journeys.