Our realizations
The P3A project involves several initiatives aimed at collectively reflecting on the acceptability and accessibility of psilocybin-assisted therapy in the context of palliative and end-of-life care in Quebec.
Our publications
The P3A project team contributes to research through publications in scientific journals and magazines.
P3A Forum
The P3A Forum has been held on March 22nd, 2024, at the Clarendon Hotel in Quebec City.
On Friday, March 22, 2024, the P3A Forum was held at the Clarendon Hotel. Bringing together around 60 experts from various fields, this event featured conferences, workshops, testimonies, and discussions that allowed participants to learn more and collaborate to find solutions and propose action plans to improve access to psilocybin assisted therapy. The Téléjournal Québec took the opportunity to create a news report and conduct an interview.
We would like to thank all our valued partners who contributed to the success of this event.
World Cafe
Psilocybin assisted therapy in palliative care to relieve existential distress: what do professionals think about it?
Our study aimed to 1) identify the issues and concerns regarding the acceptability of this therapy among palliative care professionals and discuss ways to address them, and 2) identify factors that could facilitate access to the therapy. We conducted a World Cafe consultation with 16 palliative care professionals on April 24, 2023, at the Jardin des décanats of the Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry at Université Laval.
Although participants were interested in psilocybin assisted therapy, several concerns and needs were identified, such as the need for education and certified training, the improvement of therapeutic protocols, and the necessity for additional research on the subject.
In summary, palliative care professionals consider psilocybin assisted therapy to be a treatment of interest, but it raises several concerns.
This study was carried out as part of Marianne Masse-Grenier’s master’s thesis, under the supervision of Professor Michel Dorval.
P3A Forum
The P3A Forum will be held on March 22nd, 2024, at the Clarendon Hotel in Quebec City.
On Friday, March 22, 2024, the P3A Forum was held at the Clarendon Hotel. Bringing together around 60 experts from various fields, this event featured conferences, workshops, testimonies, and discussions that allowed participants to learn more and collaborate to find solutions and propose action plans to improve access to psilocybin assisted therapy. The Téléjournal Québec took the opportunity to create a news report and conduct an interview.
Pan-canadian survey
Our team conducted a pan-Canadian survey involving 2,800 participants between November 23rd and December 4th, 2022, focusing on perceptions, attitudes, and concerns regarding psilocybin-assisted therapy and potentially associated factors.
The survey reveals that nearly 4 out of 5 Canadians believe that the use of psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, is an acceptable medical approach to treat existential distress in patients suffering from serious and incurable disease. The main objective of the survey was to measure the degree of social acceptability of this intervention when delivered by healthcare professionals.
This study was carried out as part of Louis Plourde’s doctoral research at Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy.
Our team surveyed 1,000 residents of Québec and 1,800 residents of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia to find out their opinion on the potential easing of rules surrounding the medical use of psilocybin. Analysis of their answers shows that 79% of respondents consider psilocybin-assisted therapy a reasonable medical choice to treat existential distress in patients at the end of life.
The survey indicate that support for psilocybin is higher among respondents who have already been exposed to palliative care and among respondents who have already used psilocybin.
