An Educational Intervention on the Efficacy of Ketamine- Assisted Psychotherapy for Anxiety
Publisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction, presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Purpose: This quality improvement project was designed to educate mental health careprofessionals (MHCPs) regarding the literature-informed efficacy of utilizing ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) as a treatment modality for patients with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) that has been unresponsive to prior treatments. Background: Generalized anxiety disorder is a highly prevalent comorbid diagnosis among those with mental health concerns. Individuals with GAD can experience poor treatment responses to first-line intervention recommendations. Therefore, MHCPs must identify and utilize efficacious alternate treatments for this patient population. A southern Arizona outpatient clinic identified that GAD is frequently comorbid among their clients receiving KAP services for both major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); clinic staff may benefit from receiving further information regarding the efficacy of KAP for GAD. Methods: Prior to the educational intervention’s implementation, a survey of MHCPs at the project’s implementation site was conducted to assess the prevalence of KAP use for patients with GAD. Mental health care providers at a southern Arizona outpatient clinic providing mental health services were recruited through convenience sampling for the prevalence survey and an asynchronous educational presentation presenting the literature-informed efficacy of KAP for GAD. To assess the outcomes of the educational intervention, participants completed pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys which evaluated their knowledge of KAP for GAD and their intention to incorporate KAP for GAD into their care recommendations. Descriptive statistics, bar graphs, and paired t-tests were used to analyze and interpret the survey data. Results: Four MHCPs participated in the educational intervention. Analysis of the participants’ results indicated improved knowledge regarding the literature-identified efficacy of KAP for GAD and increased intent to utilize KAP for GAD. Conclusions: The results of this quality improvement project indicated that an asynchronous educational intervention can influence MHCP's knowledge regarding the current literature-identified efficacy of KAP for patients with GAD and increase participants’ intention to recommend KAP for patients with GAD.Type
textElectronic Dissertation
Degree Name
D.N.P.Degree Level
doctoralDegree Program
Graduate CollegeNursing