BACK GROUND OF THE STUDY: Electro convulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly technical procedure requiring a team. Nurses have been involved in the administration of ECT since its earliest use. This study examined the knowledge of staff nurses regarding care of patients receiving ECT by using structured knowledge questionnaire. METHOD: A descriptive survey research was conducted in Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Mandhana Kanpur. 60 staff nurses were selected by using systematic random sampling technique. Structured knowledge questionnaire regarding care of patients receiving ECT was used to assess the knowledge. The questionnaire focused on general information, care of patients before ECT, during ECT and after ECT. RESULTS: Collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study revealed that most of the staff nurses (95%) had average knowledge, the overall mean knowledge and standard deviation scores were 26.95±3.82. Around 60% staff nurses had average knowledge in the aspect of introduction and general information regarding ECT compared to other aspects, around 55% staff nurses had average knowledge regarding care of patients before ECT, 53% staff nurses had average knowledge regarding care of patients during ECT and 57% staff nurses had average knowledge regarding care of patients after ECT, CONCLUSION: Most of the staff nurses had average knowledge regarding care of patients receiving ECT. Almost all nurses had average level of knowledge in all the areas, namely introduction and general information about ECT, care of patients before ECT, during ECT and after ECT. A higher level knowledge appears to be associated with the total length of working experience of staff nurses both in psychiatric department, ECT room and other areas. Staff nurses with more experience, had more knowledge. Greater knowledge scores were obtained from those staff nurses who had more experience. The conclusions suggest that knowledge of ECT required improvement and this has implications for nurse education.

Electro convulsive therapy (ECT), Knowledge, Staff Nurses.