HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS British Journal of Psychiatry Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Law-Min, R. Articles by Stephens, J. P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Law-Min, R. Articles by Stephens, J. P.

Capacity, compliance and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): the practice of ECT among consultant psychiatrists

Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust, Hahnemann House, West Cliff, Bournemouth BH2 5JW, Dorset, e-mail: lawminr{at}ntlworld.com

John Patrick Stephens, Consultant Psychiatrist

Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

The aim of this study was to seek the views of consultant psychiatrists on the legal framework they would use when considering treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A questionnaire, consisting of three clinical vignettes, was sent to 70 consultants in the Wessex rotation (East Dorset/Hampshire region).

RESULTS

A total of 56 questionnaires were returned; a response rate of 80%. Most consultant psychiatrists agree when giving ECT to capacitated and non-consenting patients. However, there was a lack of consensus when dealing with seemingly incapacitated but compliant patients.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

More clarification in this area is needed. Trusts can assist clinicians by devising their own policies based on nationally agreed standards of best practice. The treatment of mentally incapacitated but compliant patients is an area of practice where uncertainty exists. If proceeding under common law in such cases, it is good practice to discuss with relatives/carers and obtain a second opinion from a consultant colleague. The most recent Bournewood judgement and the new Mental Health Bill will have further implications for clinical practice.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Hilton Changes between the 1959 and 1983 Mental Health Acts (England & Wales), with particular reference to consent to treatment for electroconvulsive therapy. History of Psychiatry, June 1, 2007; 18(70 Pt 2): 217 - 229. [Abstract] [PDF]