Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment for several major psychiatric conditions, including treatment-resistant depression, mania, and schizophrenia; nevertheless, its use remains controversial. Despite its availability in some European countries, ECT is still rarely used in others. This study aims to investigate the experiences and attitudes of early career psychiatrists (ECPs) across Europe towards ECT and to examine how their exposure to ECT influences their perceptions.

In Europe, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among ECPs, including psychiatric trainees and recently fully qualified psychiatrists.

A total of 573 participants from 30 European countries were included in the study, of whom more than half (N = 312; 54.5%) received ECT training. Overall, ECPs had a positive attitude towards ECT, with the vast majority agreeing or strongly agreeing that ECT is an effective (N = 509; 88.8%) and safe (N = 464; 81.0%) treatment and disagreeing or strongly disagreeing that ECT was used as a form of control or punishment (N = 545; 95.1%). Those who had received ECT training during their psychiatry training were more likely to recommend ECT to their patients (p < 0.001, r = 0.34), and held more positive views on its safety (p < 0.001, r = 0.31) and effectiveness (p < 0.001, r = 0.33). Interest in further education about ECT was moderately high (modal rating on Likert scale: 4, agree), irrespective of prior training exposure.

ECT training is associated with more favorable perceptions of its safety and effectiveness among ECPs. There is a general willingness among ECPs to expand their knowledge and training on ECT, which could enhance patients’ access to this treatment.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a psychiatric intervention that has proven effectiveness and safety in various psychiatric conditions, such as major depressive disorder, prolonged or severe manic episodes and catatonia. Despite positive scientific evidence, ECT was always seen as controversial by patients, caregivers, and even some psychiatrists, which lead to a decrease in its use over the years.

To investigate the way young psychiatrists view the place of ECT in modern psychiatry by assessing their knowledge, attitude and access to training opportunities in ECT.

An anonymous survey was disseminated online among early career psychiatrists and psychiatric trainees. The questionnaire consisted of 36 multiple-choice and Likert scale questions.

Most of our respondents consider ECT both an effective and a safe treatment option and would recommend ECT to their patients when indicated. Early career psychiatrists who had access to ECT training are more knowledgeable about the indications, precautions and side effects of this method, but more than half of the participants mentioned ECT training was unavailable during their residency programme. Almost all respondents stated that they are interested in enhancing their theoretical and practical competencies in ECT.

Early career psychiatrists have a positive attitude towards ECT but express the need of targeted education aimed at improving levels of knowledge about ECT.

None Declared

With a history of several decades, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been carefully investigated and data supports its use as a safe and effective treatment for patients with severe depression, prolonged or severe manic episodes and catatonia. However, ECT is still regarded with reluctance by patients and caregivers, and its acceptance and use seem to be controversial even for psychiatrists.

To investigate the access to opportunities of training in ECT among early career psychiatrists and their views regarding the place of ECT in modern psychiatry.

A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2022 utilizing an anonymous online survey consisting of 36 multiple-choice and Likert scale questions.

These preliminary findings show a great discrepancy regarding the availability of ECT training in European countries, as access to specialized ECT centers is unavailable in some areas. Early career psychiatrists who had access to ECT training are more knowledgeable about the indications, precautions and side effects of this method. Most of our respondents consider ECT both an effective and a safe treatment option and have expressed their wish to improve their theoretical and practical competencies in ECT.

ECT is a standard treatment and a therapeutic mainstay in psychiatry but is being less performed in some countries. Early career psychiatrists lack experience with ECT but are interested in training opportunities. Future actions are needed for the improvement of education and training in ECT.

None Declared

The European Psychiatric Association (EPA) Summer School allows psychiatric trainees and early career psychiatrists (ECPs) from all over Europe to meet, network, and learn together. After the 2020 edition being cancelled due to COVID-19, the 10th edition in 2021 focused for the first time on research and was conducted remotely.

To provide an overview and feedback about the first Virtual EPA Research Summer School as a new way to encourage international networking during COVID-19.

The School was organized by the EPA Secretary for Education, and 4 Faculty members. It started with a “breaking the ice session” one week before and then a two-days meeting on 23-24 September 2021 using an online video-platform. This was preceded by all the 21 participants (from 18 different countries) recording a short 4-minute video presentation, which was uploaded and shared with other participants and Faculty.

Participants were divided on a voluntary basis into three working groups: 1) “Drug repurposing: overcoming challenges in pharmacoepidemiology” 2) “Psychopathological research in psychiatry”; 3) “How to conduct a cross-sectional survey?”. The Summer School program was composed of plenary sessions with lectures by the Faculty members, discussion sessions, and working groups time. At the end, each group presented a summary of the work done to the rest of the participants.

Although the remote format limits social interactions during the Summer School, overall participants’ high satisfaction and productivity indicate that not only online formats, but also the topic of research might be covered in future editions.

No significant relationships.

The 2021 Research Summer School took place virtually, and 7 psychiatric trainees or early career psychiatrists (ECPs) from 7 different European countries participated in a working group on how to conduct a cross-sectional survey study.

To provide an overview of the process of developing an internationally collaborative protocol during the EPA Virtual Research Summer School.

All participants were asked by the Faculty mentor chairing this working group to write a research question that could be investigated through a cross-sectional survey. After a brainstorming discussion, it was decided to investigate the experiences, knowledge, and attitudes of psychiatric trainees and ECPs about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Europe, an effective yet controversial procedure.

The process of developing a protocol entailed different phases. First, a literature search was conducted, which supported the need to explore more the attitudes towards ECT among ECPs. Through group discussion the study’s objectives were decided, as well as the most appropriate methodology (including data collection and questionnaire use). At the end of the course, the core of the research plan was presented to all participants at the Research Summer School, preceding its implementation.

Participating in the EPA Research Summer School is a unique experience, a great learning opportunity, and can also lead to fruitful collaborations. It enabled the learning of the key aspects of designing and conducting a survey. In a short period of time, it was possible to design a study protocol for a future international cross-sectional survey on ECT.

No significant relationships.

Designer drugs, as a term, first came about in the 1980s. Most of these “designer drugs” have synthetic cannabinoids and other psychoactive formulas difficulty to detect.

A 28 year man was referred to the hospital.

CT brain and EEG were also normal.

Among 7 days before attending the hospital the patient had a strange behaviour. He was staying like in changed reality. The day before admission he got irritable in the evening was reporting that he could hear animal’s imperative voices “we together with squirrel, dolphin visited giraffe, that someone told to jump from the window”. That symptoms were temporary after that he was shocked when realized that he was in a room. The patient has the history of marihuana use in the past 5 years, periodically. There is no evidence data about the usage of other narcotic substances. On examination he was alert, sitting on a same place looking at one point, sometimes trying to find something or suddenly standing and trying to go somewhere. He has a change of catatonic stupor and excitement. The psychomotor activity was changeable. While observing the patient during few days several times he disrobed all his clothes, staying or laying on a bed or suddenly freezing in one pose.

Taking into account clinical symptoms, the patient developed, the conclusion was made about connection of patients’ oneiroid catatonia with the usage of “Spice” or “Designer drug”. Thus, designer drugs may sound like a safer alternative, but often can lead to serious mental disturbances.

No significant relationships.