Evidence
Palliat Med. 2024 Jan 22:2692163231222430. doi: 10.1177/02692163231222430. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Internationally, there is a growing interest in the potential benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat existential distress at the end of life. However, the social acceptability of this therapy is not yet well known.
AIM: This study assesses the social acceptability of the medical use of psilocybin to treat existential distress at the end of life.
DESIGN: An online survey was conducted in Canada between November 23 and December 4, 2022. The questionnaire included items pertaining to perceptions, attitudes and concerns towards psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat existential distress at the end of life.
PARTICIPANTS: The sample (n = 2800) was stratified by province, age and sex. Participants were adults from four provinces of Canada: Québec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
RESULTS: Overall, 79.3% considered psilocybin-assisted therapy a reasonable medical choice for a patient suffering from existential distress at the end of life, 84.8% agreed that the public health system should cover the costs of the intervention and 63.3% would welcome the legalisation of psilocybin for medical purposes. Previous psilocybin use (p < 0.0001, for all dependent variables), exposure to palliative care (p < 0.05, for all dependent variables) and a progressive political orientation (p < 0.05, for all dependent variables) were associated with more favourable attitudes towards psilocybin-assisted therapy at the end of life.
CONCLUSION: The social acceptability of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life is rather high in Canada. These findings may contribute to efforts to mobilise resources and improve access to this emerging therapy in palliative and end of life care settings.
PMID:38253521 | DOI:10.1177/02692163231222430
Estimated reading time: 5 minute(s)
Latest: Psychiatryai.com #RAISR4D Evidence
Cool Evidence: Engaging Young People and Students in Real-World Evidence
Real-Time Evidence Search [Psychiatry]
AI Research
Social acceptability of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life: A population-based survey
🌐 90 Days
Evidence Blueprint
Social acceptability of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life: A population-based survey
☊ AI-Driven Related Evidence Nodes
(recent articles with at least 5 words in title)
More Evidence