US Healthcare Professionals Feel Unprepared to Discuss Medical Cannabis Use
TL/DR –
A review of 41 studies by the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine found that most US healthcare professionals believe they are not adequately prepared to discuss medical cannabis with their patients. The review, published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, found significant knowledge barriers, and students, residents, and fellows are minimally prepared on the topic. The researchers suggest that physicians need postgraduate education on medical cannabis in various formats, along with clearer state clinical practice guidelines to improve patient care and reduce stigma associated with medical and recreational cannabinoid use.
US Healthcare Professionals Report Inadequate Preparedness for Handling Medical Cannabis
A majority of healthcare professionals in the US reported being ill-equipped to discuss the therapeutic use of cannabis with their patients, according to a review of studies published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
41 studies evaluating medical practitioners’ attitudes towards medical cannabis were reviewed by investigators from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. The research showed that most of the subjects felt they lacked adequate preparation to counsel patients on the use of medical cannabis.
“US physicians and medical trainees identified significant barriers to recommending medical cannabis, reporting insufficient knowledge to provide guidance to patients with questions on its therapeutic use,” the study elaborates. “Medical students, residents, and fellows continue to be largely unprepared on this topic, especially in terms of pharmacological principles and patient counselling.”
The authors of the study pointed out the necessity for postgraduate education on medical cannabis in different formats, such as CME webinars and conference presentations, along with clearer state clinical practice guidelines. They highlighted that “Effectively training current and future healthcare professionals on medical cannabis is a critical step towards improving patient care and reducing the potential stigma associated with medical versus recreational cannabinoid use.”
The study titled “Physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about medical cannabis in the United States: A scoping review,” is available in its entirety in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
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