Context: For the past two years ECT Psychiatrists in Adelaide engaged in a Peer Review Group employing videoconferencing between three sites including to a nationally recognised expert in ECT in Melbourne, Dr David Barton. The group has met monthly for one hour and usually two cases have been presented at each meeting. All members of the group have found this process to be extremely valuable in advancing their knowledge and expertise in ECT and establishing and maintaining consistency of practice.
Objectives: The objective of this workshop is to demonstrate the merit of such a Peer Review Group by holding such a group at the workshop with videoconferencing facilities linking the workshop with sites in Adelaide and Melbourne. Up to two cases would be presented from sites in Adelaide for critical review by Dr Barton in Melbourne and by a panel of ECT Psychiatrists and workshop attendees at the workshop on the Gold Coast.
Key messages: This workshop should satisfy streams for mood disorders, continuing education, and technology. The key message would be to highlight the value of such groups in maintaining knowledge, expertise, and standards in clinical practice, as well as highlighting the potential value of innovative techniques to expand the scope of such groups.
Conclusion: Peer review groups and videoconferencing are useful strategies and tools for maintaining and enhancing clinical practice standards.
