Vivian A Christensen1,2, Shannon M Nugent3,4, Chelsea K Ayers1, Benjamin J Morasco3,4, Devan Kansagara1,3,5. 1. Evidence Synthesis Program (ESP), VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA. 2. Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute (OCTRI), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA. 3. Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA. 5. Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The legalization of cannabis is expanding across the USA, and its use has increased significantly, including among Veterans. Although the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) abides by the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance, it recently recommended that clinicians discuss cannabis with their patients. Little is known about VHA clinicians' perspectives on and knowledge of cannabis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to better understand clinicians' attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and communication with patients regarding cannabis. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured phone interviews with 14 VHA clinicians. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS: VA clinicians described ambivalence towards cannabis for therapeutic purposes and identified several factors that inhibit conversations about cannabis use with their patients including discomfort with the lack of product standardization; lack of research examining the effectiveness and risks of cannabis use; unfamiliarity with pharmacology, formulations, and dosing of cannabis; and uncertainty regarding VHA policy. Clinicians had differing views on cannabis in the context of the opioid crisis. CONCLUSIONS: VA clinicians face challenges in navigating the topic of medical cannabis. Educational materials about cannabis products, dose and harms would be helpful to clinicians. Published by Oxford University Press 2021.
BACKGROUND: The legalization of cannabis is expanding across the USA, and its use has increased significantly, including among Veterans. Although the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) abides by the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance, it recently recommended that clinicians discuss cannabis with their patients. Little is known about VHA clinicians' perspectives on and knowledge of cannabis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to better understand clinicians' attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and communication with patients regarding cannabis. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured phone interviews with 14 VHA clinicians. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS: VA clinicians described ambivalence towards cannabis for therapeutic purposes and identified several factors that inhibit conversations about cannabis use with their patients including discomfort with the lack of product standardization; lack of research examining the effectiveness and risks of cannabis use; unfamiliarity with pharmacology, formulations, and dosing of cannabis; and uncertainty regarding VHA policy. Clinicians had differing views on cannabis in the context of the opioid crisis. CONCLUSIONS: VA clinicians face challenges in navigating the topic of medical cannabis. Educational materials about cannabis products, dose and harms would be helpful to clinicians. Published by Oxford University Press 2021.
Authors: Jessica S Merlin; Andrew Althouse; Robert Feldman; Julia H Arnsten; Hailey W Bulls; Jane M Liebschutz; Shannon M Nugent; Steven R Orris; Rebecca Rohac; Joanna L Starrels; Benjamin J Morasco; Devan Kansagara Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2021-09-01