Anti-Depressant Medication & Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT)

Anti-Depressant Medication & Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT)

Learn about the therapeutic use of anti-depressant medication in the care of an older person with depression. The need for a comprehensive physical and psychological assessment of the person prior to treatment is outlined in respect to the need to consider the normal physical and emotional losses which occur in the older adult. Pat explains ECT treatment and the indications for its use. She discusses the ethical implications of this controversial and extremely emotive subject.

The main concepts explored in this session are:

• Anti-depressant medication
• Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT)
• Patient centered care

Patricia Awty is a nurse consultant and educator who has extensive hospital and university experience as a clinician, teacher and lecturer.  She is a qualified general and psychiatric nurse with a Master of Health Science degree and a special interest in the psychodynamics of therapeutic relationships and care.

Pat is well known as an informed and inspiring nurse teacher and regularly conducts teaching sessions throughout Australia which are invariably highly evaluated.

Speaker name: Pat Awty
Recorded: 23 March 2010
Listening time: 30 Mins
Conference: Depression and the Elderly
Session in Conference: Anti-depressants and ECT
State: Melbourne, Australia

Professional Reviews:

I always welcome any presentation by Patricia...she brings a sense of realism and compassion as well as simple informative statements. She has made this subject informative and leaves you with the need to find out more.