Hi Jim
I compiled these shock stats from the raw figures sent to me by MOH - ok to
copy & circulate if you wish -
Don


                Ontario Electroshock ("ECT") Statistics 2000-2002
                                   (third draft)

                             compiled by Don Weitz

source: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Government of Ontario
note: These shock statistics are the most recently available a through a
Freedom of Information application-request.  Outpatient shock figures for
2000-2001 and 2001-2002 figures do not include a breakdown by gender,
because they are not yet available.  Per cents are rounded off to the
nearest whole number.  If these statistics are cited or published, please
indicate they are approximate and incomplete. I calculated all totals and
per cents by gender and age from the raw data. My sincere thanks and
appreciation to Bill Ng in the Ministry for his assistance.


2001-2002
(figures based on fiscal year April 1 - March 31)

ECTs
Inpatient     11,060  - 80%
Outpatient     2,974  - 20%
Grand Total   14,034  - 100%

Persons (cases)
Inpatients      1,314 - 80%
Outpatients       342 - 20%
Grand Total     1,656 - 100%

Total Avg ECTs/Patient = 8

Women
ECTs 7,514 - 68%
Persons (cases) 889 - 68%

Men
ECTs  3,546 - 32%
Persons (cases) 425 - 32%

Women 65+ years old
ECTs 2,392 - 72%
Persons (cases) 295 - 74%

Men 65+ years old
ECTs 932 - 28%
Persons (cases) 105 - 26%

Total 65 years old
ECTs 3,324 - 30% (of Grand Total)
Persons (cases) 400  - 30% (of Grand Total)


2000-2001
(figures based on fiscal year April 1 - March 31)

ECTs
Inpatient     12, 253 -  80%
Outpatient     2, 530 -  20%
Grand Total   14, 783 - 100%

Persons (cases)
Inpatients    1,372 -  80%
Outpatients     387 -  20%
Grand Total   1,759 -  100%

Approximate Total Avg ECTs/Person = 9

Women (based on inpatient figures only)
ECTs 7,903 - 65%
Persons (cases) 910  - 66%

Men (based on inpatient figures only)
ECTs 4,350 - 35%
Persons (cases) 462 - 34%

Women 65+ years old
ECTs 2,683  - 70%
Persons (cases) 306  - 73%

Men 65+ years old
ECTs 1,131 - 30%
Persons (cases) 113 -27%

Total 65+ years old
ECTs 3,814 - 25% (of Grand Total)
Persons (cases) 419 - 24% (of Grand Total)


Brief Comment:
These statistics indicate several major points: First, most electroshock
(80%) is administered to inpatients, particularly in general hospitals, and
approximately one-fifth (20%) is administered to outpatients. Second, the
total number of electroshocks has decreased slightly from approximately
14,783 in 2000-2001 to 14,034 in 2001-2002.
Third, in both years twice as many women as men are administered
electroshock (68% vs 34%).
Fourth, approximately 30% of people administered electroshock are elderly,
65 years and older.
Fifth, a disproportionately large number of elderly women are subjected to
electroshock. Approximately 75% of elderly shock patients are women, three
times as many women as men. These facts support the claim of critics who
assert that electroshock is both sexist and ageist.
For further critical information on electroshock, see these websites:
www.ect.org, www.harborside.com/~equinox/ect.htm, www.mindfreedom.org,
www.breggin.com

Don Weitz
1401-38 Orchard View Blvd., Toronto, Ontario M4R 2G3
dweitz@pathcom.com