Knowledge, attitudes, and prescribing patterns of cannabis and cannabinoid-containing medicines among European healthcare workers: a systematic literature review

Polish Physicians’ Perspectives on Medical Cannabis Policy and Educational Needs: Results of An Online Survey

“…Surveys regarding medical cannabis were conducted worldwide among certified medical doctors, pharmacists, and medical faculty students [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Most of these studies reveal problems with the lack of local clinical standards or knowledge about the legal status of medical cannabis [ 12 , 13 ]. In studies that included such questions, most respondents ranked their level of knowledge as low or insufficient in the context of clinical practice [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Previous studies demonstrate that, although most medical doctors accept using cannabis for medical reasons, recreational uses do not get as much support. Studies also show that views vary by medical specialty, gender, age, and religiosity [ 12 , 13 ]. Oncologists and palliative care specialists usually advocate strongly for the use of medical cannabis, family medicine, and neurology specialists are more conservative [ 12 , 13 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

“…Studies also show that views vary by medical specialty, gender, age, and religiosity [ 12 , 13 ]. Oncologists and palliative care specialists usually advocate strongly for the use of medical cannabis, family medicine, and neurology specialists are more conservative [ 12 , 13 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. There are also slight differences in the acceptance of incorporating cannabinoids in clinical practice between doctors and medical students living in different geographical locations [ 12 ].…”

“…Oncologists and palliative care specialists usually advocate strongly for the use of medical cannabis, family medicine, and neurology specialists are more conservative [ 12 , 13 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. There are also slight differences in the acceptance of incorporating cannabinoids in clinical practice between doctors and medical students living in different geographical locations [ 12 ]. In both studies conducted among general practitioners in Ireland or Minnesota, 58% of physicians supported the legalization of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, and among Spanish nursing students—75% [ 18 , 19 , 23 ].…”

“…In Eastern Europe, this proportion was generally lower, reaching 33% in medical students of Belorussian origin. In Russia, only 26% of male students of medicine declared they would recommend medical cannabis to a patient in the event of its legalization [ 12 ]. These differences might be explained by personal experiences, professional training, and cultural differences.…”