The need for another tool: Australian healthcare professionals on the use of psilocybin for existential distress in people with cancer
Hannah Adler, Rebecca Filipic, Dr Maria Gonzalez, Ki Kwon, Judith Lacey, Geraldine Mcdonald, Jerome Sarris, Katarzyna Chmiel, Mitchell Low, Justin Sinclair, S Grant
BMC Medicine July 6, 2026 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-026-05024-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 11 |
| Population | Healthcare professionals from cancer treatment centers in Australia |
| Topics | Psilocybin End-of-life distress |
| Keywords | Existentialism Distress Thematic analysis Qualitative research Palliative care Perception Cancer Multidisciplinary approach Psychotherapist Health professionals Reflexivity Health care Medical prescription Nursing Family medicine |
| Key findings | Healthcare professionals are interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy for existential distress in cancer patients but identify knowledge gaps, barriers, and a need for more research, with preferences for multidisciplinary, culturally sensitive, and ethically rigorous delivery. |
Abstract
Background: Existential distress is commonly experienced by people with cancer, yet there are limited treatment options. The therapeutic potential for psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) utilising psilocybin for this cohort is underexplored, with emerging literature showing clinical improvements in wellbeing. In Australia there is limited knowledge on healthcare professionals' (HCPs') attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of the use of PAT for existential distress in people with cancer, and their opinions on components of delivery.
Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were used to investigate the attitudes of 11 HCPs across specialties, largely from cancer treatment centres such as Chris O'Brien Lifehouse and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. The interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: Four key themes were identified: (1) A spectrum of knowing: The varied space of PAT knowledges, (2) Conceptualising and thinking through PAT in practice, (3) Navigating nuances territory: The complexity of providing and engaging with PAT, (4) Visualising potential future for PAT. Findings from the themes include that despite HCPs remaining interested in the potential of PAT, there are clear barriers being faced, knowledge gaps, and a desire for more research. HCPs also indicated a preference for PAT to be delivered in multidisciplinary teams, and for modes of delivery to be culturally sensitive and ethically rigorous. While some positioned this treatment as a last resort, others noted that there is a need for another 'tool' in the treatment of existential distress in cancer.
Conclusions: As evidence for PAT grows, expanded clinical and qualitative research will be needed to develop delivery models that are ethically sound, culturally sensitive and informed by clinical evidence, as well as traditional knowledges While small in sample size, this present study offers preliminary insights into how HCPs perceive the potential role of PAT in cancer populations, specifically for existential distress. Thus, this study contributes to a growing qualitative evidence base to understand implementation pathways for PAT in oncology settings, and the complexity of managing the need for another tool with existing barriers, limitations, and knowledge bases.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
-
Professionals remained interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy for existential distress but identified knowledge gaps, barriers, and a need for more research, preferring multidisciplinary, culturally sensitive, and ethically rigorous delivery.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on psilocybin for end-of-life distress, most cited first.