Table 2 Differences between psychiatrists and family physicians in knowledge scale
Knowledge scale | Correct answer (better knowledge) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Psychiatrists N = (86) | Family physicians N = (40) | All N = (126) | ||
ECT is used more often in Saudi Arabia than in the USA (F) | 84 (97.7%) | 35 (87.5%) | 119 (94.4%) | 0.020 |
ECT has been used for the first time in the 1930s (T) | 54 (62.8%) | 30 (75.0%) | 84 (66.7%) | 0.176 |
The anesthetic level during ECT should be as deep as possible (F) | 70 (81.4%) | 29 (72.5%) | 99 (78.6%) | 0.257 |
ECT is more effective, and helps to relieve depression faster than drugs do (T) | 81 (94.2%) | 22 (55.0%) | 103 (81.7%) | 0.0001 |
ECT is contraindicated in patients with prior history of myocardial infarction (F) | 64 (74.4%) | 21 (52.5%) | 85 (67.5%) | 0.015 |
In Saudi Arabia ECT can be administered only under general anesthesia (T) | 75 (87.2%) | 14 (35.0%) | 89 (70.6%) | 0.0001 |
ECT can be done in Saudi Arabia without muscle relaxation (F) | 74 (86.0%) | 28 (70.0%) | 102 (81.0%) | 0.033 |
ECT can be used over the age of 65 (T) | 76 (88.4%) | 14 (35.0%) | 90 (71.4%) | 0.0001 |
The longer the seizure duration, the more effective the treatment (F) | 41 (47.7%) | 35 (87.5%) | 76 (60.3%) | 0.0001 |
Recommended weekly frequency of the sessions are two or three (T) | 79 (91.9%) | 18 (45.0%) | 97 (77.0%) | 0.0001 |
Total knowledge score: mean (SD) | 8.12 (1.25) | 6.15 (1.25) | 7.49 (1.55) | 0.0001 |