Attitudes and Perceptions of Portuguese Psychiatrists and Psychologists on the Clinical Use of Ketamine.
Pedro Mota, Jorge Encantado, Laura C. Carvalho, Catarina Cunha, Albert Garcia‐romeu, Matthew W Johnson, Pedro J. Teixeira
Acta medica portuguesa May 2, 2025 DOI: 10.20344/amp.22815 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 156 |
| Population | Portuguese psychiatrists and psychologists |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine |
| Keywords | Ketamine/therapeutic use Surveys and questionnaires Treatment-resistant/drug therapy Ketamine therapy Mental health professionals Clinical attitudes Professional training |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Portuguese mental health professionals show favorable attitudes toward ketamine for treatment-resistant depression but have substantial knowledge gaps and training concerns. |
Abstract
Ketamine has garnered attention for its rapid efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression, offering a novel mechanism as a non-monoaminergic agent. Despite its potential, limited research has explored mental health professionals' perspectives on its use. This study assesses the attitudes, knowledge, and concerns of Portuguese psychiatrists and psychologists regarding the clinical application of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted from June 2022 to January 2024 among Portuguese psychiatrists and psychologists. The anonymous online questionnaire assessed perceptions of ketamine's therapeutic utility, risks, and knowledge sources. Statistical analyses examined subgroup differences by age, sex, profession, and prior psychedelic use. Among 156 participants (mean age = 37.2; 68.6% female), 53.8% were psychologists, and 46.2% were psychiatrists or trainees in Psychiatry. Only 35.9% reported substantial knowledge of ketamine's therapeutic potential, while 59% were open to integrating it clinically. The majority expressed interest in training, though 73% raised concerns about inadequate professional training. Significant differences emerged, with psychiatrists reporting higher knowledge levels and openness to ketamine compared to psychologists, while younger professionals showed greater interest in training and usage. There was a favorable attitude toward ketamine use among Portuguese psychiatrists and psychologists, yet substantial educational gaps remain. Customized training addressing age, sex, and professional background is essential for safe and effective clinical integration of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression. Further studies should focus on longitudinal outcomes of ketamine treatment under standardized protocols to ensure efficacy and safety in clinical practice.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on ketamine for depression, most cited first.