Quantitative Research

Cannabis for medical purposes: A cross-sectional analysis of health care professionals' knowledge

Rice, Jessica MD^1,2; Hildebrand, Andrea MS^1,2; Waslo, Carin S. MPH^1,2; Cameron, Michelle H. MD^1,2; Jones, Kim Dupree PhD, FNP, FAAN^1,2

Author Information

¹Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon

²Portland VA Health Care System, Portland, Oregon

Correspondence: Kim Dupree Jones, PhD, FNP-BC, FAAN, School of Nursing, Linfield University, 2255 NW Northrup St, Portland, OR 97210. Tel: 503-890-0589; Fax: 503-413-6846; E-mail: [email protected]

Competing interests: J. Rice has payment and consulting from Greenwich Biosciences. M. H. Cameron has payment and consulting from Greenwich Biosciences, Adamas Pharmaceuticals and Helius Medical. The remaining authors report no conflicts of interest.

Authors' contributions: All authors are responsible for the conception and design of the work, interpretation of the data, drafting and revising the manuscript, and final approval. All have agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

The contents do not represent the views of the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government.

Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners 34(1):p 100-106, January 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000590

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Abstract

Background:

Legalization of cannabis use and the evidence base supporting both risks and benefits of cannabinoids are expanding, but our understanding of health care professionals' (HCPs) knowledge about cannabis for medical purposes is limited. Understanding of the knowledge base and knowledge gaps about medical cannabis use is critical to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) because they are increasingly called on to manage patients taking multiple drugs, including prescribed and unprescribed cannabis and prescription cannabinoids.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine HCPs' knowledge of clinical cannabis, including laws and regulations; risks and harms; pharmacology; and effects on pain, multiple sclerosis spasticity, and seizures as assessed with written tests before an in-person, continuing medical education program.

Methods:

Total scores and differences among professions and topics were compared.

Results:

A total of 178 of the 226 program attendees completed the test (79%) (107 [47%] physicians, 30 [13%] APRNs, and 18 [8%] registered nurses). The mean test score was 63.2% (SD = 12.7%) without significant differences among professions (F_{(3, 174)} = 1.53; p = .21) but with significant differences among topics (χ²_{(7, 1068)} = 201.13; p < .001). The score was lowest for effects on seizures (43.8%) and with scores below 70% for all other areas except laws and regulations (85.7%).

Implications for practice:

There are substantial gaps in HCPs' knowledge about the clinical effects of cannabis, especially about risks and harms, pharmacology, and the effects on pain, multiple sclerosis spasticity, and seizures. Further education may help HCPs to understand the risks and benefits of cannabis and cannabinoids across conditions.