Comparison of two independently conducted electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) surveys in Great Britain and Ireland shows remarkable uniformity of opinion and practice in the selection of patients for treatment, treatment technique, and clinical outcome 14 and 28 days after completion of a course of treatment. Short-term outcome reported by a self-selected group of treating psychiatrists in each survey was remarkably similar. Between 75% and 80% of patients were satisfied with the results of ECT as were their treating psychiatrists. The data provide information hitherto unavailable from controlled efficacy studies and indicate the short-term course and outcome of patients treated with ECT in contemporary clinical practice.