Optimizing Patient Experiences in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Journey Mapping Approach
Accessing ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression is hindered by stigma, high costs, and fragmented care pathways. Additionally, there is a critical lack of data on patient experiences during ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, making it challenging to optimize care. Our project addresses this need by using patient journey mapping to systematically capture the experiences of individuals undergoing ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, identify barriers, and co-create strategies to enhance accessibility, care quality, and patient outcomes.
Background
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy offers a transformative treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Despite its promise, many patients face significant barriers, such as stigma, limited provider knowledge, and high costs. Our project bridges this gap by focusing on patient journey mapping, a visual and qualitative method that captures patient experiences across the care pathway—from initial awareness of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to post-treatment integration.
The study involves two phases:
Phase One: Conducting semi-structured interviews with individuals undergoing or having undergone ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to create patient journey maps.
Phase Two: Hosting a collaborative workshop with healthcare providers within the ketamine or psychedelic therapy field to translate findings into actionable, patient-centered strategies.
This study combines qualitative insights with expert collaboration to propose strategies for improving overall patient satisfaction, enhancing accessibility, and fostering tailored and equitable mental health care. The outcomes will guide advancements in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and inform best practices for psychedelic-assisted therapies in Ontario and beyond.
