Date of this Version

2021

Document Type

DNP Project

Rights

default

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Patients who have PTSD are particularly vulnerable to inefficient treatment modalities and subsequent lifelong suffering. Multiple studies have exposed these inefficiencies in conventional therapies and established a potentiality for MDMA use during psychotherapy sessions in this patient population. Ketamine represents an anesthetic with a similar psychedelic profile to MDMA that is used in current clinical settings.

Context: Mount Sinai Medical center is a 672-bed hospital in Miami Beach, Florida, where the Miami Beach Anesthesiology Associates (MBAA) group provides anesthesia services. Many procedures requiring anesthesia are carried out to a vast patient population, many of which are patients with PTSD and associative symptoms of depression.

Objectives: The objective of the Evidence-Based Learning Module is to expand CRNA knowledge of PTSD and the use of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) assisted psychotherapies in patients who have PTSD and other similar disorders.

Methods: A pre-implementation survey assessed the providers’ initial knowledge of PTSD, including current treatment modalities and overall inefficiencies, and the pharmacology and history of MDMA. A virtual educational intervention then followed this. When completed, anesthesia providers were redirected to a post-intervention survey to establish the growth of knowledge.

Results: Overall, there was an improvement in provider knowledge following the education intervention. There was no change regarding the likelihood of researching MDMA further on the CRNA’s own time.

Conclusions: Currently, there exist many insufficiencies in the treatment of patients with PSTD. During the perioperative period, an area of heightened vulnerability for this population, a universal standard of care or anesthetic plan specific to patients with PTSD is lacking. The educational intervention provided was effective in improving anesthesia provider knowledge of PTSD and MDMA.

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