(#20) Empowering Patients as Educators: Transforming Patient Questions and Insights into Enhanced Clinical Knowledge and Practice

Abstract: Goal: This project investigates how patients undergoing active treatment with a novel FDA-approved antidepressant, esketamine for treatment-resistant depression, can meaningfully enhance the ongoing education of healthcare professionals through their questions and insights. Methods: Patients were actively encouraged to ask questions about esketamine during each 2-hour treatment session, for a minimum of eight sessions. Responses to frequently asked questions were developed from a weekly National Library of Medicine PubMed search (key words: esketamine, treatment-resistant depression) and discussions with industry experts. Patients reviewed the clarity and completeness of written responses to their questions, which were prepared by their esketamine physician. Outcomes: Over a four-year period (2020-2024), a comprehensive 44-question online resource [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Esketamine (SpravatoÆ)] was developed. The FAQ employed a clear question-and-answer format, addressing essential drug-related topics including mechanism of action, dosing and administration, onset and duration of action, potential medication interactions, timeline for expected symptom relief, and necessary precautions. The resulting FAQs resource, informed by patient perspectives, serves both as an educational tool for patients and as reinforcement of clinical knowledge for healthcare professionals. Implications: This initiative demonstrates how prioritizing patient education and lived experience can empower patients to actively engage in their care, shared decision-making, and clinical experiences. By transforming patient-driven questions into structured educational resources, patients become agents of change, accelerating the translation of medical knowledge into improved clinical practice. This innovative educational model emphasizes the role of informed patients in enhancing both patient care and clinician education.Short Description: This poster describes an innovative patient-driven approach to education about esketamine (SpravatoÆ), a novel FDA-approved medication for treatment-resistant depression. By addressing frequently asked patient questions and incorporating their lived experiences, this project demonstrates how patient engagement can enhance clinician education, foster shared decision-making, and ultimately improve clinical practiceName of Sponsoring Organization(s): Sweetgrass Psychiatry