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Description
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare workers were exposed to a deadly disease with limited knowledge and personal protective equipment, subjected to long hours, forced to ration care due to limited critical care resources and ventilators, and isolated from their families due to fear of spreading the virus. These factors further compounded the occupational stress associated with being a healthcare worker. The literature shows that the physical, mental, and emotional challenges frontline healthcare workers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic had lasting impacts on their mental health. The prevalence of mental health illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, among healthcare workers indicates that there is a need for further research into effective therapeutic interventions for the treatment of PTSD symptoms. Existing research about Ketamine-Assisted-Psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD symptoms has shown promising results. However, many existing studies are limited by the absence of a control group and the use of small sample sizes. This research aims to address those gaps and assess the therapeutic potential of KAP as a treatment modality for frontline healthcare workers suffering from PTSD related to COVID-19. Participants will be 100 healthcare workers who worked in critical care during the COVID-19 pandemic and meet the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD. Half of the participants will undergo KAP and the other half will undergo Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, following the same treatment schedule. Participants will fill out validated measure forms before treatment, during treatment, immediately after treatment, and three months after treatment cessation. Data will be analyzed using basic descriptive statistics, compared using t-tests, and reported using confidence intervals, effect sizes, and p-waves. The findings from this study will contribute to developing more effective interventions for mental health illnesses in healthcare workers.
Department
Nursing
Publication Date
Winter 12-4-2024
Sponsorship/Conference/Institution
Dominican University of California
City
San Rafael, CA
Keywords
Healthcare workers, nurses, mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, Ketamine-Assisted-Psychotherapy, ketamine
Disciplines
Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Nursing | Other Chemicals and Drugs | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing | Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
Included in
Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons, Other Chemicals and Drugs Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons, Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Commons