The field of psychiatry is perpetually evolving, as cutting-edge treatment approaches and trailblazing research redefine the future of mental healthcare. Osmind recently surveyed over 50 private practice psychiatrists to gain insight into their research interests.

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With 47 professionals responding to every question, the results offer a snapshot of the diverse clinical interests and the enthusiasm of practitioners to not only consume research but also contribute to it.

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In this blog post, we’ll delve into:

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1. Key insights from the research interest survey
2. The crucial role of research in advancing clinical practice
3. How innovative technologies and collaborative efforts can tackle existing obstacles to clinical trials and research participation in the field.

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Treatment Modalities and Evolving Interests

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The survey respondents revealed that they offer a variety of treatments, with IV ketamine being the most prevalent (65%). Medication management for adults (32%) and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (32%) were the next most common modalities.

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They reported interest in treating diverse conditions, such as:

• Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
• PTSD
• Anxiety
• Substance abuse disorders
• OCD
• Psychosis
• Metabolic psychiatry

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This diversity underscores the complexity and unique challenges faced by psychiatrists in their daily practice.

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The Importance of Research in Clinical Practice

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A striking 80% of respondents stressed the significance of research in their practice.

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‍Reasons for this emphasis include:

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• The need to update treatment approaches based on the latest research.

• Treatment-resistant patients requiring novel therapies.

• Interest in psychedelic treatments and measurement-based care for improved outcomes.

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These responses illustrate that clinicians possess an innovative spirit and a deep commitment to staying informed about the latest advancements in their field. However, attending large conferences can be costly and time-consuming, which is why we see low conference attendance among our clinician community.

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To make the latest research more accessible to busy clinicians, Osmind hosts regular live and recorded events with thought leaders and researchers within the Osmind Practice Community.

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Producing Research for Real-World Evidence

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Clinician respondents don't just want to consume research; they want to actively facilitate it. They recognize the value of generating real-world data that can be de-identified, pooled, analyzed, and interpreted to produce real-world evidence (RWE).

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Osmind is committed to facilitating clinicians' research interests, particularly in addressing serious mental illnesses where comorbidities are the norm and leveraging cutting-edge solutions when current treatments fail.

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By supporting both the consumption and production of research, Osmind aims to create a vibrant, collaborative environment for continuous learning and improvement in psychiatric care.

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Barriers to Research and Overcoming Challenges

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The majority of clinicians at the forefront of psychiatry are proactive in applying published literature within their field, using it as a foundation for refining their practice habits.

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However, integrating academic research into clinical practice is not without challenges. The main barrier to ingesting academic research is the lack of time to absorb and integrate it. Respondents also cited lack of funding and administrative support as primary barriers.

Potential solutions include providing easy access to data, helping clinicians obtain funding, and fostering collaboration between clinicians and researchers. Osmind can actively help clinicians secure funding that can be deployed to provide administrative support.

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Developing Objective Biomarkers for Treatment Response

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Since the 1970s, the concept of 'quantifying the self' has been steadily gaining traction. Today, approximately 87% of the world’s population carries a smartphone—allowing users to log various aspects of daily life, such as activity and sleep.

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Taking it a step further, wearables hold the potential to revolutionize psychiatric practice by providing clinicians with objective data on treatment response, complementing patient-reported outcomes.

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Around 40% of survey respondents expressed interest in incorporating wearables into their practice, with a similar percentage considering participation in studies using electroencephalography (EEG) to identify novel biomarkers of treatment response.

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The growing fascination with passive data as a tool to guide treatment and make research more accessible is opening up exciting possibilities for deepening patient involvement and refining clinical decision-making.

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In the interim, Osmind's EHR supports automated measurement-based care (MBC) through a patient engagement app that monitors mood scores and sends intelligent alerts.

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One example of real-world evidence (RWE) generation in action is a case study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, wherein clinicians utilized Osmind's patient app to track outcomes and incorporate live journaling during ketamine infusion treatments.

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Collaborative Efforts to Improve Clinical Trial Referrals

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Over 80% of respondents indicated they would refer patients to clinical trials, which again demonstrates the severity of the mental health conditions our clinicians treat. However, they noted that a lack of administrative support is a major barrier to participation in these recruitment efforts.

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Osmind is actively working on facilitating clinical trial recruitment for patients with treatment resistance by developing an automated patient tagging system based on clinical characteristics that could significantly reduce administrative red tape.

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Exploring New Horizons in Psychiatric Research

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Our respondents expressed a strong interest in a wide range of research topics, including clinical trials, MDMA, traditional psychedelics, ketamine augmentation, metabolic psychiatry, genetics, and personalized medicine. This enthusiasm goes beyond mere academic curiosity, with half of our respondents indicating their plans to expand their treatment offerings to incorporate MDMA administration.

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We hear our customers and plan to deliver content regarding the recommended mindset and setting for MDMA administration that we learn at Psychedelic Science 2023.

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We'll also feature guidance from legal experts regarding implementation. You'll be able to find detailed insights from research digests to expert interviews on all the aforementioned topics of interest inside the Osmind Practice Community.

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Conclusion:

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The Osmind Research Interest survey provides valuable insights into the current state of psychiatry and the role of research in clinical practice.

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By addressing barriers to research and fostering a research-driven clinical environment, we can pave the way for innovation and improved patient outcomes.

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By promoting ongoing dialogue and cooperation among clinicians, researchers, and industry partners, we can work together to pave the way for a brighter future in psychiatry, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and transforming mental healthcare.