Ensuring Access to Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Rural Communities.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) June 1, 2025 Olivia M Dhaliwal, Lukas Bobak, Brian S Barnett
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) may be in high demand in rural America, where residents face greater morbidity and premature mortality due to unique social disparities. Barriers to accessing PAT in rural settings include geographic, economic, and cultural factors, as well as a shortage of healthcare providers. Without intervention, disparate access could worsen existing rural-urban inequities. The authors propose solutions such as incorporating PAT into rural health training, using teletherapy for preparation and integration sessions, and creating new care models and economic incentives to enable rural providers to deliver PAT.