Implementation of a ketamine programme for treatment-resistant depression in the public health system: Lessons from the first Australian public hospital clinic.

Journal: The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry

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Affiliated Institutions:  Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Abstract summary 

One could argue that we are living through a period of innovation and change in psychiatry unlike that seen before, with repurposed medications emerging as novel treatments. However, despite evidence of enhanced clinical outcomes and potential medium-term savings, delivering these promising interventions is resource-intensive and perceived as difficult in the public sector. Consequently, they are generally only available in the private sector, often at great cost, effectively making them inaccessible to the 'Have Nots'. The arrival of these paradigm-shifting treatments has inadvertently highlighted a growing mental health inequity. The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital's Ketamine Treatment Clinic was the first public-sector ketamine treatment clinic for complex mood disorders in Australia. Based on 3 years' experience establishing, developing and running a public-sector ketamine treatment service, we review the progress, perils and pitfalls for clinicians and health services contemplating establishing a public-sector ketamine treatment service of their own.

Authors & Co-authors:  Thornton Wright Glozier

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1177/00048674241237094
SSN : 1440-1614
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Ketamine;implementation;public hospital
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
England