Māori healthcare professionals' perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy: a qualitative study.

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psychedelic-assisted therapies are gaining interest as an innovative treatment for problems with mental health and addictions, and there are several clinical trials in this area currently being conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, many stakeholder groups hold concerns about cultural acceptability and safety. While psychedelic substances have a long history overseas in various Indigenous populations for spiritual and ritualistic purposes, their traditional use with Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand is unclear. Given our Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and the significant health inequities for Māori, any new treatments should be developed considering Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview) perspectives. This study aimed to explore Māori healthcare professionals' current awareness, attitudes and perspectives on psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy. To explore these aims, 13 Māori healthcare professionals were recruited to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews investigating psychedelic awareness, knowledge and attitudes using Māori health models Te Whare Tapa Whā and Te Wheke as a framework for data collection and analysis. Four key themes were identified, including 1) greater awareness leads to greater openness towards psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), 2) more research and education about PAT is needed, 3) PAT has the potential to align with Te Ao Māori, and 4) equitable access is critical for Māori. Our sample of Māori healthcare professionals generally supported research investigating psychedelic therapies in Aotearoa New Zealand. Improving awareness of this novel treatment is likely to influence its acceptability as a treatment option and will inform the cultural safety of its use with Māori.