background   The extent to which electroconvulsive therapy (ect) is used and the manner in which it is applied vary from country to country and from region to region within a country. Between 1995 and 2000 the average number of ect-treatments in Belgium was 4765; of these 2757 took place in Flanders
aim   To list the practice of ect in Flanders and the Brussels Capital Region.
method   First, a list was obtained by telephone of all the centres providing ect. Then a questionnaire was sent to all psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric services of general hospitals in Flanders and the Brussels Capital Region (88).
results and conclusions ect is available at 23 of 88 hospitals. ect-service at each of the 23 hospitals completed and returned the questionnaire. In most of the hospitals concerned ect is not used regularly; it is reserved for patients with severe depressive disorder that has proved resistant to medication. It is seldom used to treat psychosis and mania. The anaesthetic given most frequently in conjunction with ect is propofol. The common technique for administering ect involves the use of bitemporal electrodes and a fixed high-dose stimulus. There is practically no maintenance-ect or extra-mural ect. More than half of the hospitals concerned do not use informed-consent documents. Most psychiatrists acknowledge the need for supplementary specialised training procedures.