Why Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) Matter to Psychology: An Exploration of Aotearoa New Zealand Psychologists' Knowledge of NDEs and Implications for Professional Practice.

Previous research indicates psychologists' knowledge of near-death experiences (NDEs) is limited. NDE features can resemble some symptoms reported by those with mental health concerns, making them relevant to clinical understandings of diagnosis and treatment. We present preliminary findings of a case vignette study in which we sought the perceptions of 45 practicing registered psychologists in Aotearoa New Zealand. Open-ended responses revealed only 11% of the sample correctly identified the case as an NDE. Our findings are consistent with those of previous studies indicating psychologists in other parts of the world have limited knowledge of NDEs. We discuss the need for psychologists to proactively engage in NDE education as part of best practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]