The trainee by year 3 ought to be able to administer ECT without direct supervision, prepare patients for ECT, and explain to patients and relatives about ECT, its indications and broad place within psychiatric treatment. Trainees ought to be able to monitor a patient's mental state and cognitive functioning during a course of ECT.

Consultants and trainees by the end of year 6 ought to have a good understanding of the place of ECT in modern clinical practice sufficient to obtain informed consent from patients to reach level 1 competency. Only consultants responsible for the ECT clinic or specialist trainees (ST4–6) with an interest in the administration of ECT would be expected to have level 1 competency in the practical aspects of the administration of ECT (sufficient to run an ECT clinic).

Name:

1 Fully conversant (FC)

2 Working knowledge (WK)

3 Awareness (A)

Verbally assessed

1 FC Is able to explain accurately all the important features to a standard that shows sufficient understanding that would allow them to competently and independently apply the knowledge.

2 WK Is able to explain the key features to a standard that shows sufficient understanding that would allow them to apply the knowledge in common situations and access further information if necessary.

3 A Is aware of the topic and knows where to get further information but not to a level that provides a WK.

Observed

1 FC Is able to carry out the procedure to a standard that shows sufficient skill and understanding that would allow them to competently and independently carry it out.

2 WK Is able to carry out the procedure to a standard that shows sufficient skill and understanding that would allow them to carry it out in usual situations but to know their limitations and access further help if necessary.

3 A Is aware of the topic and knows where to get further information but not to a level that provides a WK.