Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42410597›Full record

ArticleBMC medicine2026

The need for another tool: Australian healthcare professionals on the use of psilocybin for existential distress in people with cancer.

Hannah Adler, Rebecca Filipic, Maria Gonzalez, Ki Kwon, Judith Lacey, Geraldine McDonald, Jerome Sarris, Katarzyna Chmiel, Mitchell Low, Justin Sinclair and 1 more

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In one paragraph

Article in BMC medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Hannah AdlerCentre for Social and Cultural Research, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD , 4111, Australia.
Rebecca FilipicNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
Maria GonzalezNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
Ki KwonNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
Judith LaceyNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
Geraldine McDonaldDepartment of Prevention & Wellbeing, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Jerome SarrisNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
Katarzyna ChmielSupportive Care and Integrative Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
Mitchell LowNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
Justin SinclairNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
Suzanne GrantNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia. S.Grant@westernsydney.edu.au.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundExistential 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.

methodsQualitative 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.

resultsFour 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.

conclusionsAs 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.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelHallucinogensHealth PersonnelNeoplasmsPsilocybinPsychological DistressStress, PsychologicalAustraliaFemaleHumansMaleQualitative ResearchHallucinogensPsilocybinAttitude of health personnelExistential distressNeoplasmsPalliative carePsilocybinPsychedelic-assisted therapyQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID42410597
PMCPMC13621745

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.