Researchers from the School of Psychology, University of East London set out to assess attitudes, perceived knowledge and concerns around medical cannabis among UK health care professionals – and the difference between those who had received training and those who didn’t.
More than 500 medical professionals received an invitation to complete an anonymous survey that consisted of 31 questions divided into three sections:
- demographic data
- attitudes, perceived knowledge and concerns around medical cannabis
- personal experience with cannabis
Provision was also made for additional commentary.
But it was only a comparatively small group who completed the survey used for the study – 72 respondents. Of those, more than half had received medical cannabis training. Of those who had compared to those who hadn’t, there was:
- A “statistically significant” higher perceived knowledge.
- Greater confidence in prescribing.
- Increased recognition of the value of medical cannabis.
- Less concern around lack of sufficient evidence of efficacy (only 15% of trained professionals considered it a concern, compared to 47% of untrained professionals)
No real surprises there.
The most endorsed concerns among both groups were barriers to prescription and cost of cannabis medicines.
An interesting result from the survey was that 32 participants indicated recreational use of cannabis, and 15 medicinal use. 13 of the latter group indicated both recreational and medicinal use.
According to the researchers, there are more than 40,000 specialist clinicians in the UK eligible to prescribe cannabis-based medical products. But only approximately 100 actively do so; which works out to be just 0.25%.
Among its discussion of the results, the researchers stated:
“Educating healthcare professionals about the diverse types of evidence available for assessing the therapeutic value of medical cannabis and the unique considerations associated with botanical products like cannabis could enhance their decision-making processes.”
The study has been published in the journal Drug Science Policy and Law.
In related news, a study published last week indicated allowing medical cannabis to be prescribed on the UK’s NHS for chronic pain could save the service almost £4 billion annually. There have been very few NHS prescriptions; however availability through private healthcare is increasing, with an estimated 25,000–30,000 patients acquiring medical cannabis though private clinics.
