Use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is influenced by the attitudes of the psychiatrists. The aim of this pilot survey was to assess the knowledge about and attitudes toward ECT in Romanian psychiatrists. Participants of a scientific meeting were requested to fill a 29-item questionnaire. Answers reflecting false concepts or negative attitudes toward ECT were more than 20% in 15 of 21 items, which highlights the urgent need to improve psychiatrists' education and training about ECT in Romania.

Considering the very high Hungarian suicide rate, the low referral rate in cases of severe suicidal intent and threat is surprising. The respondents also rarely considered ECT for NMS or severe depression. The discrepancy between current referral practices and standard recommendations could be decreased with more ECT training courses.

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