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Student Class
2025
Student Affiliation
Presidential Scholar
First Advisor
Cara Struble
First Advisor Department
Geisel School of Medicine
Second Advisor
Alan Budney
Second Advisor Department
Geisel School of Medicine
Description
Background and Objectives: There is limited evidence guiding the efficacy and safety of cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP). Healthcare providers lack requisite knowledge to support patients. This study aimed to describe and compare aspects of an initial CTP interaction across different provider-types. We anticipated mental health providers would differ from other provider-types based on varied exposure to cannabis consumers.
Methods: Adult cannabis consumers (N=507) from the U.S. completed an anonymous online survey rating aspects of an initial CTP interaction, including risk mitigation behaviors and recommendations about use. Analyses examined CTP interactions among four provider groups (Mental health [MH], Family Medicine [FM], Medical Clinics [MC], and Other Specialty [OS]).
Results: Less than half of the sample reported discussion of cannabis risks (44.0%) or subsequent follow-ups (44.0-46.7%). Recommendations (where to obtain, consumption method, dose, and frequency) were uncommon (9.7%-19.5%). While the MH group reported the highest rates of risk mitigation discussion (62.0%-65.0%), models adjusted for sociodemographic and cannabis characteristics were largely non-significant. MC providers were more likely than the MH group to report recommendations (p’s<.05). Younger age and greater cannabis-related problems increased likelihood of risk mitigation and provider recommendations.
Discussion and Conclusions: Data suggest that CTP interactions focused on risk but generally lacked comprehensive recommendations for safe use. Data from provider perspectives could support the need for CTP dosing guidelines and training for healthcare providers to promote safe CTP practices.
Scientific Significance: For the first time, this study explored several aspects of CTP interactions and compared experiences across a variety of provider-types.
Publication Date
Spring 2024
Keywords
cannabis for therapeutic purposes, medical cannabis, marijuana, healthcare providers, cannabis policy
Dartmouth Digital Commons Citation
Achar, Jivan; Struble, Cara; and Budney, Alan, "Patient-healthcare provider interactions on Cannabis for Therapeutic Purposes" (2024). Wetterhahn Science Symposium Posters 2024. 4.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/wetterhahn_2024/4
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