Healthcare Workers Back Psychedelics But Lack Crucial Knowledge, Study Finds

A new study published in Scientific Reports revealed that while U.S. healthcare professionals are largely open to the therapeutic potential of psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA, their understanding of their clinical uses and risks is limited. The research, led by Erin Wang and colleagues from Johns Hopkins University, surveyed 879 healthcare providers, shedding light on current attitudes, knowledge levels, and concerns about psychedelic-assisted therapies (PAT).

Mixed Knowledge, High Expectations

The vast majority of respondents, 93%, endorsed the potential of psilocybin and 76% supported the promise of MDMA in clinical settings. However, self-reported knowledge did not align with objective assessments. While participants rated their understanding of psilocybin's therapeutic uses relatively high, only 5.5% answered all knowledge questions correctly. MDMA fared worse, with just 1.1% achieving full marks, highlighting significant knowledge gaps despite positive attitudes.

"Despite high self-rated knowledge, our findings indicate limited understanding of the potential uses, risks, and mechanisms of these substances," the authors noted. The disparity suggests a reliance on popular media and personal experiences over evidence-based resources, as nearly 70% of respondents cited media as a primary source of information.

Professional Role Influences Openness

Registered nurses, mental health professionals and advanced practice providers reported greater openness to integrating psychedelics into their practices than physicians. Younger professionals, particularly those aged 18-29, also expressed higher enthusiasm for clinical use compared to older age groups.

Prior psychedelics use and self-rated knowledge were strong predictors of openness, according to the multivariable regression analysis. "Personal experience and perceived understanding appear to play a key role in shaping attitudes," per the study, which noted that physicians, despite scoring higher on knowledge checks, were more conservative in their responses.

Concerns About Training, Costs And Risks

The primary concerns shared by respondents centered around the lack of trained providers, the financial cost of treatment and potential risks for patients with contraindications. More than 59% of healthcare professionals expressed worry about the shortage of trained personnel, echoing a broader need for formalized education in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Interestingly, the potential for addiction was rated as a low concern, particularly for psilocybin, aligning with its lower dependence risk compared to other substances. However, skepticism about MDMA's safety was more prevalent, especially following the recent decision by the Food and Drug Administration to delay its approval for PTSD treatment pending additional trials.

Need for Formal Training And Evidence-Based Education

The study's findings underscored a pressing demand for comprehensive clinical training on psychedelics, as healthcare providers cited academic research centers and experienced clinicians as their most trusted sources of information. In contrast, pharmaceutical companies ranked lowest in trust, with only 8% of respondents relying on them for data on psilocybin or MDMA.

"Systematic academic programs are needed to bridge the gap between high interest and low objective knowledge," the researchers concluded, pointing to ongoing efforts by institutions like Johns Hopkins, Yale and Columbia Universities to develop curricula for psychedelic education.

The Path Forward

As interest in psychedelic therapies grows, the study suggests that addressing these knowledge gaps and expanding formal training could play a pivotal role in the successful integration of PAT into mainstream healthcare. With most healthcare professionals showing support for legal medical access to both substances, a shift towards evidence-based education and training appears essential for safe and effective implementation.

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