Michelle St Pierre1, Liam Matthews2, Zach Walsh3. 1. Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada. Electronic address: michelle.stpierre@ubc.ca. 2. Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada. Electronic address: liam.matthews@alumni.ubc.ca. 3. Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada. Electronic address: zachary.walsh@ubc.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since 1999, the Canadian courts have recognized the rights of patients to access cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP). Due to the increasing interest in the use of CTP, competency with the topic among health care providers is essential. As concerns mount around the role of industry involvement in cannabis education, it has become increasingly important for medical schools to provide physicians-in-training balanced evidence regarding the harms and benefits of CTP. In the present study, we surveyed Canadian physicians-in-training regarding their knowledge, experience, attitudes, and barriers surrounding CTP. METHODS: Survey questions were adapted from extant physician and nurse practitioner education needs assessments. We invited representatives from all 17 Canadian universities with a Faculty of Medicine to electronically distribute the survey to physicians-in-training. RESULTS: The survey was accessed by 93 physicians-in-training of whom 76 provided responses (46 % female; Mage = 28, SD = 3.03). Physicians-in-training reported receiving significantly less instruction on CTP than they desired. Responses demonstrated differences between current and desired knowledge across all domains queried. More education was the factor identified as most likely to increase comfort authorizing and discussing CTP with patients. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study demonstrate an expressed desire for more education surrounding CTP among a self-selected sample of Canadian physicians-in-training. There was a substantial divergence between current and desired levels of knowledge, and the largest gaps related to creating effective treatment plans and understanding the risks and benefits of CTP. Improving the educational opportunities of students will improve standard-of-care for patients.
BACKGROUND: Since 1999, the Canadian courts have recognized the rights of patients to access cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP). Due to the increasing interest in the use of CTP, competency with the topic among health care providers is essential. As concerns mount around the role of industry involvement in cannabis education, it has become increasingly important for medical schools to provide physicians-in-training balanced evidence regarding the harms and benefits of CTP. In the present study, we surveyed Canadian physicians-in-training regarding their knowledge, experience, attitudes, and barriers surrounding CTP. METHODS: Survey questions were adapted from extant physician and nurse practitioner education needs assessments. We invited representatives from all 17 Canadian universities with a Faculty of Medicine to electronically distribute the survey to physicians-in-training. RESULTS: The survey was accessed by 93 physicians-in-training of whom 76 provided responses (46 % female; Mage = 28, SD = 3.03). Physicians-in-training reported receiving significantly less instruction on CTP than they desired. Responses demonstrated differences between current and desired knowledge across all domains queried. More education was the factor identified as most likely to increase comfort authorizing and discussing CTP with patients. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study demonstrate an expressed desire for more education surrounding CTP among a self-selected sample of Canadian physicians-in-training. There was a substantial divergence between current and desired levels of knowledge, and the largest gaps related to creating effective treatment plans and understanding the risks and benefits of CTP. Improving the educational opportunities of students will improve standard-of-care for patients.
Authors: Laura Sims; Tom Goetz; Neil White; Armin Badre; Braden Grammon; Andrew Trenholm; Jason Strelzow; Ruby Grewal Journal: Can J Surg Date: 2022-05-17 Impact factor: 2.840
Authors: Cerina Lee; Jessica M Round; Scott Klarenbach; John G Hanlon; Elaine Hyshka; Jason R B Dyck; Dean T Eurich Journal: Harm Reduct J Date: 2021-06-08
Authors: Yasmina Hachem; Sara J Abdallah; Sergio Rueda; Jessica L Wiese; Kamna Mehra; Jennifer Rup; Juthaporn Cowan; Antonio Vigano; Cecilia T Costiniuk Journal: BMC Complement Med Ther Date: 2022-09-08