A national survey of 1,840 U.S. psychiatrists found that 73% had referred at least one patient for transcranial magnetic stimulation in the past 12 months, up from 41% in a comparable 2020 survey. Familiarity with TMS clinical evidence and protocols was rated significantly higher in 2025 than in 2020.
Barriers to referral most commonly cited were limited TMS clinic availability in the local area (44%), insurance coverage uncertainty (38%), and time required for patient education (29%). Concerns about TMS efficacy or safety were rare and decreased substantially compared with 2020.
The survey suggests that TMS has moved from a specialty-restricted treatment to a widely accepted option in U.S. psychiatry, particularly for treatment-resistant depression. Coverage expansions and the publication of robust real-world outcomes data over the past three years are likely contributing factors.
The American Psychiatric Association indicated the findings reinforce the case for incorporating TMS more prominently in residency training, where exposure remains uneven across programs.
Source
Reporting based on coverage from Psychiatric Services. This article is editorial summary intended for general information; it is not medical advice.