Entry #1 (9/15/22):
This summer I continued to dive into existing literature in the field of psilocybin and expanded my knowledge regarding its use and effectiveness within the medical world. Currently I am shifting my focus towards analyzing attitudes towards psilocybin use in the medical world. I am drafting a questionnaire to send out to physicians at institutions in an attempt to assess and analyze the difference in perspective regarding attitudes and thoughts towards them gradual use of psychedelics as treatment for medical conditions.
Entry #2 (10/11/22):
I have composed a survey to assess physicians' knowledge and attitudes regarding the clinical applications of psilocybin, taking into account demographics and the factors that contribute to these attitudes. I am in the process of trying to connect with institutions to begin distributing my survey and hope to begin data collection this month.
Entry #3 (11/14/22):
I have conducted a literature review to summarize current studies assessing psychedelic knowledge and opinions in physician and am in the process of revising my survey to ultimately begin distributing it. I am currently in communication with Dr. Woolley who is helping me assess how best to distribute my survey and the steps necessary to begin effective data collection.
Entry #4 (12/21/22):
Using feedback from multiple contacts I have carefully revised my survey in preparation to begin distribution. I have completed all necessary certifications in order to begin data collection including the completion of human subjects training. I am currently conducting out reach and meeting with potential mentors to help me in the process of distributing my survey. My goal in the coming months is to establish a mentor connection with someone that can use their expertise to help me send out my survey in the most effective way and begin data collection.
Entry #5 (1/23/23):
I have gone through a lengthy process of revising my survey and completing human subjects training to ensure it is as credible, ethical, and most useful to the scientific community. I am now looking to partner with a local organization to pilot this survey at the local level and determine local clinicians’ attitudes surrounding psychedelic use in the medical world. I feel that in the Bay Area, there is an increasing interest in psychedelics and microdosing for mental health. I am hoping to partner with the Marin County Psychological Organization and other Bay Area psychological organizations in order to reach clinicians with my survey.
Entry #6 (3/13/23):
I have connected with various psychological associations throughout the bay area that have been distributing my survey to their members to fill out. I am hoping to get 50-100 responses within the next month and am currently looking to connect with various psychological associations across the United States and Canada to help reach the larger clinican audience with my survey.
Entry #7 (4/26/23):
I have accumulated 56 responses to my survey which includes both quantitative and qualitative data. I am currently in the process of organizing and drawing conclusions from both the qualitative and quanititative data. I am finding that the survey offers a variety of very interesting and unexpectated data and I am excited to share these conclusions. I am also in the process of drafting my final paper, specifically the results and discussion section, and drafting my final presentation.