Researchers: Manfred Green¹, Michael Dor², Sharon Sznitman¹

Background: Medical cannabis (MC) is used to control the symptoms of a variety of diseases and the side-effects of treatment such as: side-effects of chemotherapy, chronic pain, neurological disorders, etc. Due to the resistance of some physicians to MC treatment, the stigma of using MC and challenges in facilitating MC distribution, there may be gaps in regards to MC efficacy and the reasons for using it, between medical staffs and patients.

Objectives: To examine attitudes, perceived efficacy, side effects and risk of addiction among patients, physicians and nurses.

Method: We carried out face-to-face questionnaire interviews of 307 patients who are using or have used MC, 65 physicians and 65 nurses. The questionnaire examined attitudes, perceived efficacy, perceived side-effects and perceived risks of addiction to MC. A qualitative study was carried among 20 patients, 10 physicians and 10 nurses using semi-structured interviews.

Findings: Compared with nurses and physicians, patients had the most positive attitudes towards the use of MC and perceived efficacy. The physicians had the least positive attitudes and perception of efficacy. Similarly, patients had a lower perception of side-effects and the risk of dependence on MC compared to nurses and physicians. The results of the multiple linear regression analyses show that lower education was correlated with a more positive view of the use of MC among patients. Lower age and lower education were associated with a more positive perception of the efficacy of MC, less side-effects and less perceived risk of addiction.

Conclusions: The current study has contributed to increased awareness among patients and medical professionals about the importance of monitoring and accompanying patients with MC, in order to prevent overuse and misuse and to prevent misconceptions and unrealistic expectations of patients.

Recommendations: The gap between medical staff and patients' perspective indicate there is a need for more information and research about MC. In addition, there is a need for better physician-patient communication with regards to MC efficacy and side effects, in order to give patients the optimal treatment.

Research end date: 02/2020