Could seasonal patterns in ECT use impact service delivery? A nationwide study.

Abstract

Background: The practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is constrained by limited resources. Anticipating recurrent peaks in demand is therefore essential for optimizing resource planning within public healthcare systems. This study examined seasonal patterns of ECT utilization in France over an extended period.

Method: We analyzed data from the French national administrative and medical database. Seasonal patterns in monthly ECT utilization time series from 2017 to 2023 were investigated using robust statistical methods.

Results: We observed a clear seasonal pattern with a 12-month periodicity in monthly ECT utilization, accounting for 16% of the variance in use, with a major peak in December and a mean relative amplitude of 13.1%. Seasonal variation was observed across sex, age and diagnostic subgroups, although it was less pronounced among patients aged 24 years or younger and those with schizophrenia. Across all subgroups, ECT activity consistently peaked at the onset of winter, between November and December.

Conclusion: These findings emphasize the need for ECT providers in France to anticipate recurrent winter peaks in activity. Proactive healthcare policies should ensure that medical staffing and equipements ressources are adjusted to accommodate predictable winter peaks in ECT demand.