4. PILOT PHASE

The first task of the pilot phase involved developing a set of audit forms and preparing a training pack on the use of the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). These were then distributed to four pilot sites during individual training sessions by the project co-ordinator Dr Fergusson. The pilot sites were representative of four geographically distinct areas in Scotland: Glasgow, West Lothian, Argyll and Inverness. These sites were chosen since their co-ordinators were members of the original core group which developed the audit. Data collection ran for at least a month at these sites and the audit methodology was adapted according to feedback. The primary goal at this stage was to produce a simple, comprehensive audit system which would be as user friendly as possible. During this phase all ECT co-ordinators and Trust chief executives were informed of the outline of the project and the co-ordinators were invited to attend a meeting in January 1997. User groups were also involved in the audit from an early stage and representatives attended a meeting with the project team also held in January.