A survey of Australian psychiatrists' and psychiatry trainees' knowledge of and attitudes towards psychedelics in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Cameron Grover, Lauren Monds, Mark Montebello
Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists June 2023 DOI: 10.1177/10398562231155125 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 51 |
| Population | Australian psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees, members of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists |
| Keywords | Mental disorders Psychedelics Surveys Treatment |
| Key findings | Respondents were enthusiastic about psychedelics as psychiatric treatment and aware of some evidence of their efficacy, but most, particularly females, still perceived psychedelics as risky. Most considered themselves open-minded and believed psychedelics deserved further research. The authors note the poor response rate (51 respondents, 38 completions) as a major limitation and argue that education about efficacy evidence and risks is needed. |
Abstract
To assess Australian psychiatrists' and psychiatry trainees' knowledge of and attitudes towards psychedelics as treatment for psychiatric disorders. Australian members of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists were invited to participate in an anonymous survey that ran from October 1 to November 30 2021. Participants were asked about their knowledge of the risks and benefits of, and attitudes towards, psychedelics, including the factors that influence those attitudes. Fifty-one doctors responded to the survey, and 38 completed all items. The majority were male, consultants and based primarily in New South Wales. Respondents reported awareness of the evidence demonstrating the benefits of psychedelics for most disorders; however most respondents, particularly females, perceived psychedelics as risky. Most considered themselves open-minded and believed psychedelics deserved further research. The poor response rate was a major limitation of this study. Our sample of Australian psychiatrists and trainees were enthusiastic about psychedelics as psychiatric treatment and were aware of some of the evidence demonstrating their efficacy. Safety continues to be a concern, despite growing evidence of their safety in therapeutic settings. Education about the evidence of their efficacy and the risks associated with their use is needed.