Disruption as an opportunity or threat: A qualitative analysis of factors influencing the attitudes of experts in serious illness care toward psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Palliative & supportive care December 1, 2023 Roxanne Sholevar, John Peteet, Justin Sanders et al. 9 citations
Experts in serious illness care and psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) hold divergent views on PAT's therapeutic potential and safety for patients with serious illness. Five factors shape their attitudes: perception of unmet need, knowledge of empirical studies, personal psychedelic experience, professional background, and age or generation. An overarching theme is PAT's disruptive potential at four levels: the patient's experience of self, illness, and death; relationships with loved ones and healthcare providers; existing clinical models; and societal attitudes toward death. Whether this disruption is seen as a therapeutic opportunity or an undue risk determines the level of support. These points of disruption raise practical and philosophical considerations for integrating PAT into serious illness care.