Psychedelic Treatment with Psilocybin: Addressing Medical Malpractice Risk and Physicians’ Concerns

Physicians may hesitate to prescribe psilocybin for conditions like end-of-life anxiety and depression due to stigma and potential medical malpractice liability. This paper examines the risk of malpractice claims arising from psilocybin treatment in Canada, using exploratory vignettes to illustrate the relevance and limits of such claims. It argues that the absence of established medical standards, standardized training, and credentialing increases liability risks. More clinical trials, meta-studies, and knowledge sharing are needed to develop training programs and medical standards of practice to better realize psilocybin's potential.

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Abstract

Abstract Psychedelic treatment with psilocybin is receiving increased attention following clinical trials showing it may help treat end-of-life anxiety, depression, and several other conditions. Despite this, physicians may be reluctant to prescribe psilocybin and carry out psilocybin treatment because of the stigma surrounding psychedelics and the potential for medical malpractice liability. This paper explores whether psilocybin treatment gives rise to a risk of medical malpractice liability for physicians. Following an overview of psilocybin treatment and its regulatory regime in Canada, exploratory vignettes are used to highlight the relevance and limits of malpractice claims. This paper argues that the lack of established medical standards, standardized training, and credentialing contribute to liability risks surrounding psilocybin treatment. More clinical trials, meta-studies of research analyses, and knowledge sharing will help to develop training programs and medical standards of practice to better realize psilocybin’s potential.