Medical cannabis education among healthcare trainees: A scoping review

Zolotov, Yuval; Metri, Samer; Calabria, Emily; Коган, М. И.

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102675

Cited by 31 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Therefore, this study is the first to report significant differences in self-reported confidence levels between healthcare students and professionals. More in-depth studies are needed to survey levels of self-reported confidence in MC knowledge, particularly amongst healthcare students, to help elucidate the discrepancies between this study and the results of Zolotov et al ( 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…This systematic review assessed contemporary and relevant trends pertaining to medical professionals’ and students’ opinions and knowledge regarding medicinal cannabis (MC). Moreover, this review expanded upon Gardiner et al ( 2019 ) and Zolotov et al’s ( 2021 ) similar reviews by (a) examining more studies from a broader array of countries, (b) investigating highly specific research questions, (c) exploring temporal trends in the data, (d) comparing student and professional cohorts, and (e) performing statistical analyses which yielded significant trends pertaining to medical students’ and professionals’ knowledge and attitudes regarding MC. Most importantly, the finding that both medical students’ and professionals’ acceptance of MC has significantly increased in recent decades—in conjunction with their consistent, strong desire for more educational material—suggests that the medical community should prioritize the development of MC educational programs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Notably, results from this study do not directly align with results from other reviews on this topic. Gardiner et al ( 2019 ) found self-reported knowledge to be low amongst all types of health professionals, while Zolotov et al ( 2021 ) found that health students overwhelmingly lacked knowledge and confidence in counseling patients on MC (Gardiner et al 2019 ; Zolotov et al 2021 ). Therefore, this study is the first to report significant differences in self-reported confidence levels between healthcare students and professionals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, in 2021, Zolotov et al published a scoping review exploring the status of MC education among healthcare trainees (Zolotov et al 2021 ). Their review of 23 studies across ten countries found that healthcare trainees lack sufficient knowledge about MC and do not feel prepared to counsel patients on the subject.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A systematic review of medical students’ and professionals’ attitudes and knowledge regarding medical cannabis

Weisman

Rodriguez

2021

J Cannabis Res

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Background Recently, the renewed global interest in cannabis’ therapeutic properties has resulted in shifting attitudes and legislative policies worldwide. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the existing literature on medical professionals’ and students’ attitudes and knowledge regarding medicinal cannabis (MC) to assess any relevant and significant trends. Methods This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Using PubMed and Google Scholar, a literature search was performed to identify studies pertaining to healthcare professionals’ and medical students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding MC. There were no search limits on the year of publication; however, studies without primary data (e.g., abstracts, systematic reviews, meta-analyses) and non-English language papers were excluded. Studies were coded according to the following research questions: (1) Do respondents believe that cannabis should be legalized (for medicinal and/or recreational purposes)? (2) Are respondents confident in their level of knowledge regarding cannabis’ clinical applications? (3) Are respondents convinced of cannabis’ therapeutic potential? 4) What current gaps in knowledge exist, and how can the medical community become better informed about cannabis’ therapeutic uses? and (5) Are there significant differences between the knowledge and opinions of healthcare students versus healthcare professionals with respect to any of the aforementioned queries? Chi-square tests were used to assess differences between medical students and medical professionals, and Pearson’s bivariate correlations were used to analyze associations between survey responses and year of publication—as a proxy measurement to assess change over time. Results Out of the 741 items retrieved, 40 studies published between 1971 and 2019 were included in the final analyses. In an evaluation of 21 qualified studies (8016 respondents), 49.9% of all respondents favored legalization (SD = 25.7, range: 16–97%). A correlational analysis between the percentage of survey respondents who support MC legalization and year of publication suggests that both medical students’ and professionals’ support for MC legalization has increased from 1991 to 2019 (r(19) = .44, p = .045). Moreover, medical professionals favor the legalization of MC at a significantly higher rate than students (52% vs. 42%, respectively; χ2 (1, N = 9019) = 50.72 p < .001). Also, respondents consistently report a strong desire for more education about MC and a substantial concern regarding MC’s potential to cause dependence and addiction. Pearson’s correlations between year of publication and survey responses for both of these queried variables suggest minimal changes within the last decade (2011–2019 for addiction and dependence, 2012-2019 for additional education; r(13) = − .10, p = .713 and r(12) = − .12, p = .678, respectively). Conclusion The finding that both medical students’ and professionals’ acceptance of MC has significantly increased in recent decades—in conjunction with their consistent, strong desire for more educational material—suggests that the medical community should prioritize the development of MC educational programs. MC is far more likely to succeed as a safe and viable therapy if the medical professionals who administer it are well-trained and confident regarding its clinical effects. Limitations include a lack of covariate-based analyses and the exclusion of studies published after the literature search was performed (June 2019). Future research should analyze studies published post-2019 to draw temporal comparisons and should investigate the effect of numerous covariates (e.g., gender, religiosity, prior cannabis use) as newer studies gather data on these factors [PROSPERO Registration: CRD42020204382].

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A systematic review of medical students’ and professionals’ attitudes and knowledge regarding medical cannabis

Weisman

Rodriguez

2021

J Cannabis Res

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“…Because of the increased need for cannabis counselling, evidence on perceived knowledge of cannabis and the pharmacist’s comfort level on providing cannabis counselling is growing. 7,8 However, there is a gap in the literature when it comes to Canadian pharmacists’ attitudes and perspectives toward cannabis; 9 furthermore, as far as the authors are aware, no studies have assessed attitudes and perspectives on use in pediatric patients. Since pharmacists play a pivotal role in medication management and safety, as well as public education, it is imperative to understand their attitudes towards the consumption of cannabis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concerns, beliefs and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy students on cannabis use in Canada

Vaillancourt

Dhalla²,

Merks

et al. 2022

Can Pharm J

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Background: Since cannabis has been legalized in Canada for medical and recreational use, there has been an increased demand on pharmacists for cannabis counselling. The objective of this study was to determine the concerns, beliefs and attitudes of Canadian pharmacists and pharmacy students towards using cannabis. Methods: An online survey was synthesized under 3 broad themes: concerns, beliefs and attitudes about cannabis, consisting of 27 questions capturing demographics and Likert scale responding to survey questions. We examined whether there were differences in responses by geographic location (i.e., Ontario, Quebec, Canada), sex or practice setting (i.e., community, hospital). Results: Across Canada, there were 654 survey respondents, with 399 in Ontario and 95 in Quebec. Approximately 24% indicated they had used cannabis since legalization, 69% indicated they believed cannabis should be available for medical and recreational use and 34% indicated their perceptions towards cannabis had become more positive since legalization. Relative to Quebec or the rest of Canada, respondents from Ontario were significantly more likely to be comfortable providing counselling to and answering questions of patients on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis use. Examining sex differences across Canada, male respondents were more comfortable than female counselling patients on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis. Conclusion: The current results reinforce the perceived need by pharmacists and pharmacy students for targeted education, and future research in cannabis education should consider potential gender differences in attitudes and beliefs surrounding cannabis therapy.

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Medical cannabis: Roles, responsibilities, and challenges for clinical pharmacists

Sera

Duncan

2023

J Am Coll Clin Pharm

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Cannabis is a plant that has been grown for centuries for it is industrial, medicinal, and recreational uses. Over the last few decades, cannabis has been increasingly used therapeutically and recreationally as states increasingly decriminalize or legalize its cultivation and sale. Pharmacists, as medication experts, can play an important role in educating patients and other healthcare professionals about cannabis, the evidence of its potential for therapeutic use, and the risks for short and long-term adverse effects. This paper aims to broadly review the current policy landscape, describe specific issues and challenges relevant to patients and healthcare providers, and provide a framework for the clinical pharmacist's approach to the patient using cannabis.

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Medical cannabis education among healthcare trainees: A scoping review

Cited by 31 publications

References 49 publications

A systematic review of medical students’ and professionals’ attitudes and knowledge regarding medical cannabis

A systematic review of medical students’ and professionals’ attitudes and knowledge regarding medical cannabis

Concerns, beliefs and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy students on cannabis use in Canada

Medical cannabis: Roles, responsibilities, and challenges for clinical pharmacists

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