Experiential Learning with Ketamine: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study on Prescription and Perception.
Therapeutics and clinical risk management January 1, 2024 Annette M Ilg, Christine P Beltran, Jenny A Shih et al.
Intensivists at a tertiary academic ICU felt ongoing discomfort using ketamine for analgosedation, even after a large increase in its use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among 446 mechanically ventilated medical ICU patients, ketamine prescriptions rose from 4 (2.1%) pre-COVID to 81 (32.3%) during the COVID-19 surge. Focus groups with 13 attending intensivists revealed three key themes behind their discomfort: a lack of evidence about ketamine, a lack of personal experience, and a desire for more education and protocols. The increase in hands-on experience alone did not reduce provider discomfort, suggesting that continuing education and process improvements are needed to support adoption of unfamiliar therapies.