Introduction and objectives: Existential distress is commonly experienced by people with cancer, yet there are limited treatment options. The therapeutic potential for psilocybin assisted therapy (PaT) for this cohort is underexplored, with emerging literature showing clinical improvements on wellbeing. There is also limited knowledge on healthcare professionals (HCPs) attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of the use of PaT for existential distress, and their opinions for modes of delivery. Thus, HCPs and the potential of psilocybin was explored through this project.
Methods and analysis: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were used to investigate the attitudes of 11 HCPs, 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 and conclusions: Four key themes were identified: knowledge and education, preferred modes of care, barriers to psilocybin in care, and openness to explore further. Findings 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. 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. Thus, PaT provides a hope for their patients. The results from this study in conjunction with future research on the topic has the potential to help inform clinical practice guidelines, policies, and lead to better patient outcomes and improved quality of care.