What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate Canadian psychiatrists' perspectives on the acceptability, goals, and ethical dimensions of palliative care approaches for severe and persistent mental illness.

August 14, 2026The Canadian Journal of PsychiatryOpen Access

A Survey of Canadian Psychiatrists’ Attitudes Towards Palliative Care Approaches for Severe and Persistent Mental Illness: Enquête sur les attitudes des psychiatres canadiens à l’égard des approches de soins palliatifs pour les troubles mentaux graves et persistants

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Authors

SLSarah LevittUniversity Health Network LPLucy PankoCentre for Addiction and Mental Health KTKate TsiandoulasCentre for Addiction and Mental Health

Discussion

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Implication

Cross-sectional survey reveals strong endorsement of palliative care approaches among Canadian psychiatrists, indicating support for autonomy- and comfort-focused psychiatric care.

Key Points

To evaluate Canadian psychiatrists' perspectives on the acceptability, goals, and ethical dimensions of palliative care approaches for severe and persistent mental illness.
Conducted a cross-sectional survey of Canadian psychiatrists (n = 69) assessing attitudes toward palliative psychiatry, coercion, and three clinical vignettes (anorexia nervosa, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder).
Analyzed quantitative survey responses using descriptive statistics and qualitative free-text feedback using structured tabular thematic analysis.
Participants strongly accepted palliative care approaches in psychiatry, favoring treatment goals centered on functional improvement, suffering reduction, and autonomy over curative efforts.
Attitudes toward prognosis, treatment futility, and the relationship between palliative care and end-of-life care varied depending on the psychiatric diagnosis presented in vignettes.
Qualitative analysis identified key themes including ethical dilemmas around coercion, clinical paradigms, characteristics of illness, and systemic healthcare barriers.

Cite This Study

Levitt et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7ec735b70b84ec8b913655 https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437261474291

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Implication

Cross-sectional survey reveals strong endorsement of palliative care approaches among Canadian psychiatrists, indicating support for autonomy- and comfort-focused psychiatric care.

A Survey of Canadian Psychiatrists’ Attitudes Towards Palliative Care Approaches for Severe and Persistent Mental Illness: Enquête sur les attitudes des psychiatres canadiens à l’égard des approches de soins palliatifs pour les troubles mentaux graves et persistants

Discussion

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Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

A Survey of Canadian Psychiatrists’ Attitudes Towards Palliative Care Approaches for Severe and Persistent Mental Illness: Enquête sur les attitudes des psychiatres canadiens à l’égard des approches de soins palliatifs pour les troubles mentaux graves et persistants

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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