Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
June 3, 2026
Michel Dorval, Virginie Audet-Croteau, Sue-Ling Chang et al.
Background/Objectives: Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) is a promising intervention to alleviate existential distress among patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. However, evidence on how to integrate PAT into routine oncology and palliative care services remains scarce. This study aimed to examine real-world PAT implementation, identify factors influencing adoption, and...
Palliative Medicine
May 19, 2026
Louis Plourde, Sue-Ling Chang, Olivia Nguyen et al.
1 citation
BACKGROUND: While the adoption of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress offers promising support for patients with life-threatening illnesses, implementing this intervention into palliative care settings presents significant real-world challenges. AIM: To examine palliative care stakeholders' knowledge and attitudes regarding psilocybin-assisted therapy, and identify barriers and...
Healthcare
September 12, 2025
Ariane Bélanger, Sue-Ling Chang, Jean-François Stephan et al.
1 citation
Background/Objectives: Given the limitations of traditional approaches to treating existential distress in seriously ill patients, psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) has emerged as a promising treatment option. However, weighing up the potential risks and benefits of this approach can be challenging for both healthcare professionals and patients. Decision aids can play a key role in supporting...
Palliative Medicine Reports
April 17, 2025
Michel Dorval, Sue-Ling Chang, Houman Farzin et al.
3 citations
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy represents a promising addition to palliative care interventions, potentially improving quality of life by addressing existential distress. Despite its safety and effectiveness, this therapy remains limited in Canada, underscoring the need for improved access to ease suffering from life-threatening illnesses. However, important questions remain regarding how to...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
January 21, 2025
Louis Plourde, Sue-Ling Chang, Houman Farzin et al.
1 citation
Abstract The discussion surrounding the necessity of acquiring personal experience of non-ordinary states of consciousness in the course of psilocybin-assisted therapy training is crucial, as it can affect treatment safety, effectiveness and accessibility. As such, the ethical and practical issues associated with such a training standard require timely consideration in jurisdictions where this...
The Journal of Law Medicine & Ethics
2025
Katherine Cheung, M J Brodie, Sue-Ling Chang et al.
2 citations
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....
Palliative & Supportive Care
October 1, 2024
Marianne Masse-Grenier, Sue-Ling Chang, Ariane Bélanger et al.
4 citations
Promising studies show that psilocybin-assisted therapy relieves existential distress in patients with serious illnesses, a difficult condition to treat with current treatment options. There is growing interest in this therapy in palliative care. Canada recently amended its laws to allow physicians to request psilocybin for end-of-life distress. However, barriers to access remain. Since...
Palliative Medicine
January 22, 2024
Louis Plourde, Sue-Ling Chang, Houman Farzin et al.
22 citations
Background: Internationally, there is a growing interest in the potential benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat existential distress at the end of life. However, the social acceptability of this therapy is not yet well known. Aim: This study assesses the social acceptability of the medical use of psilocybin to treat existential distress at the end of life. Design: An online survey...