Māori healthcare professionals' perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy: a qualitative study.
The New Zealand medical journal March 14, 2025 Carly Hanna, Eva Morunga, Alesha Wells et al. 2 citations
Māori healthcare professionals generally support research into psychedelic-assisted therapy in Aotearoa New Zealand, but emphasize the need for cultural safety and equitable access. Interviews with 13 Māori healthcare professionals revealed four key themes: greater awareness leads to more openness toward psychedelic-assisted therapy; more research and education are needed; the therapy has potential to align with Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview); and equitable access is critical for Māori. The study used Māori health models Te Whare Tapa Whā and Te Wheke as frameworks. Improving awareness of this novel treatment is likely to influence its acceptability and cultural safety for Māori.