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Medical cannabis is going mainstream, but physician knowledge hasn't caught up.
As medical cannabis continues to spark global debate and reshape healthcare landscapes, a novel international study in 'Frontier in Public Health' has unveiled surprising insights into how physicians are navigating this evolving field. Despite the surge in both recreational and medical use, a considerable knowledge gap persists among doctors when it comes to understanding, recommending, and managing cannabis-based treatments.
Conducted across 17 countries between 2016 and 2018, this comprehensive survey of 323 physicians revealed a conspicuous inconsistency in their approach to medical cannabis. While cannabis is gaining traction for medical use, the study showed that many doctors remain hesitant to embrace it fully, with their recommendations often not aligning with the latest scientific evidence. This stark disparity emphasized the critical need for improved education on the topic.
The research uncovered that more than half of the physicians (51.4%) had never recommended medical cannabis, while one-third (33%) felt inadequately informed about its applications and risks. Despite recognizing the potential for psychotic episodes with cannabis use (84%), only a small fraction (23%) apprehended the risks of dependence tied to daily consumption.
Interestingly, when it came to therapy suggestions, the study found the highest readiness to prescribe cannabis for nausea associated with chemotherapy (67%), refractory long-lasting neuropathic pain (52%), and spasticity (abnormal muscle tightness) in patients with Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (51%).
Summing up, equipping physicians with the necessary expertise and up-to-date guidelines is critical to ensure the safe, informed, and effective use of medical cannabis in patient care.
Frontier in Public Health
International perspectives on physician knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to medical cannabis
Shariful A Syed et al.
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