Cynthia L Holland1, Michelle Abena Nkumsah2, Penelope Morrison1, Jill A Tarr1, Doris Rubio3, Keri L Rodriguez4, Kevin L Kraemer3, Nancy Day5, Robert M Arnold6, Judy C Chang7. 1. Magee Womens Research Institute Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. 2. Magee Womens Research Institute Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; University of Pittsburgh Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, 139 University Pl, Pittsburgh PA 15260, USA. 3. Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Suite W933, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA; Center for Research in Health Care University of Pittsburgh, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA; Clinical and Translational Science Institute University of Pittsburgh, 200 Meyran Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA. 4. Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Suite W933, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA; Center for Health Equity Research & Promotion (CHERP) Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive 151C, Pittsburgh PA 15240, USA. 5. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 3800 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA. 6. Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Suite W933, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA; Center for Research in Health Care University of Pittsburgh, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA; Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, Institute to Enhance Palliative Care; Institute for Doctor-Patient Communication UPMC Montefiore 932W, 200 Lothrop St. Pittsburgh PA, 15213, USA. 7. Magee Womens Research Institute Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Suite W933, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA; Center for Research in Health Care University of Pittsburgh, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA. Electronic address: chanjc@mail.magee.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe obstetric provider attitudes, beliefs, approaches, concerns, and needs about addressing perinatal marijuana use with their pregnant patients. METHODS: We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with obstetric providers and asked them to describe their thoughts and experiences about addressing perinatal marijuana use. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and reviewed to identify themes. RESULTS: Fifty-one providers participated in semi-structured interviews. Providers admitted they were not familiar with identified risks of marijuana use during pregnancy, they perceived marijuana was not as dangerous as other illicit drugs, and they believed patients did not view marijuana as a drug. Most provider counseling strategies focused on marijuana's status as an illegal drug and the risk of child protective services being contacted if patients tested positive at time of delivery. CONCLUSIONS: When counseling about perinatal marijuana use, obstetric providers focus more on legal issues than on health risks. They describe needing more information regarding medical consequences of marijuana use during pregnancy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Provider training should include information about potential consequences of perinatal marijuana use and address ways to improve obstetric providers' counseling. Future studies should assess changes in providers' attitudes as more states consider the legalization of marijuana.
OBJECTIVE: To describe obstetric provider attitudes, beliefs, approaches, concerns, and needs about addressing perinatal marijuana use with their pregnant patients. METHODS: We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with obstetric providers and asked them to describe their thoughts and experiences about addressing perinatal marijuana use. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and reviewed to identify themes. RESULTS: Fifty-one providers participated in semi-structured interviews. Providers admitted they were not familiar with identified risks of marijuana use during pregnancy, they perceived marijuana was not as dangerous as other illicit drugs, and they believed patients did not view marijuana as a drug. Most provider counseling strategies focused on marijuana's status as an illegal drug and the risk of child protective services being contacted if patients tested positive at time of delivery. CONCLUSIONS: When counseling about perinatal marijuana use, obstetric providers focus more on legal issues than on health risks. They describe needing more information regarding medical consequences of marijuana use during pregnancy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Provider training should include information about potential consequences of perinatal marijuana use and address ways to improve obstetric providers' counseling. Future studies should assess changes in providers' attitudes as more states consider the legalization of marijuana.
Authors: Gale A Richardson; Christopher Ryan; Jennifer Willford; Nancy L Day; Lidush Goldschmidt Journal: Neurotoxicol Teratol Date: 2002 May-Jun Impact factor: 3.763
Authors: Cynthia L Holland; Doris Rubio; Keri L Rodriguez; Kevin L Kraemer; Nancy Day; Robert M Arnold; Jill A Tarr; Judy C Chang Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2016-04 Impact factor: 7.661
Authors: Judy C Chang; Cynthia L Holland; Jill A Tarr; Doris Rubio; Keri L Rodriguez; Kevin L Kraemer; Nancy Day; Robert M Arnold Journal: Am J Health Promot Date: 2016-11-17
Authors: Laura R Stroud; George D Papandonatos; Meaghan McCallum; Tessa Kehoe; Amy L Salisbury; Marilyn A Huestis Journal: Neurotoxicol Teratol Date: 2018-09-26 Impact factor: 3.763
Authors: Judy C Chang; Jill A Tarr; Cynthia L Holland; Natacha M De Genna; Gale A Richardson; Keri L Rodriguez; Jeanelle Sheeder; Kevin L Kraemer; Nancy L Day; Doris Rubio; Marian Jarlenski; Robert M Arnold Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2019-01-11 Impact factor: 4.492