Cover of CMAJ.

CMAJ, November 22, 2011, 183(17) 2019 Why did this article include testimonials that had no credibility apart from being against ECT? Does CMAJ include the opinion of ideologues when discussing other medical devices or treatments? ECT is a life-saving and highly effective procedure for which there are clear guidelines. The Canadian Psychiatric Association stands by its stated position that “ECT has well defined indications, demonstrated efficacy and safety, well characterized side-effects, and established standards for practice. The decision to use ECT in the treatment of a patient is a medical one, based on the psychiatrist’s assessment of the patient’s illness and an evaluation of the merits and risks of ECT, compared with alternative treatments. Similar to all medical procedures, the use of ECT requires informed consent from the patient or a substituted decision maker.”