A majority of U.S. healthcare professionals support medical cannabis, yet their objective knowledge of cannabis therapeutic use and risks is low, according to a new survey published in the Journal of Cannabis Research.
Conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the study surveyed a broad range of healthcare professionals, including physicians, registered nurses, mental health professionals, and advanced practice providers. A total of 879 individuals took part, of whom 89 percent reported having patients who use cannabis.
Self-rated knowledge far exceeds actual knowledge
Participants rated their own knowledge as relatively high. On a five-point scale, they scored highest on cannabis risks (mean 4.1/5), followed by therapeutic indications (4.0/5) and mechanisms of action (3.5/5).
When the same knowledge was tested objectively, the results were markedly different: between 13 and 64 percent of questions were answered correctly, depending on the domain. The gap between perceived and actual knowledge was evident across all areas studied.
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Personal experience and popular media as main sources of knowledge
Healthcare professionals largely rely on informal sources for their cannabis knowledge. Some 76 percent cited personal experience as their primary source, while 73 percent named popular media. Only a minority had received formal training on the subject.
The most commonly cited concerns regarding clinical cannabis use included a lack of trained providers (35 percent), risk of patient exploitation (22 percent), recreational misuse (21 percent), and risk of psychosis (20 percent).
Overwhelming support for medical cannabis
Despite the knowledge gaps, support for medical cannabis was broad. 87 percent agreed that cannabis has therapeutic promise, 74 percent were open to recommending medical cannabis to patients, and 95 percent supported its legal medical use.
Factors associated with greater openness to clinical use included higher self-rated knowledge, younger age, professional role, and lower levels of concern.
Need for structured clinical education
The study authors conclude that the findings point to a clear need for structured clinical training on cannabis pharmacology, dosing, contraindications, and the legal and ethical frameworks surrounding medical cannabis. Improved monitoring of cannabis treatment is also highlighted as an important measure to support safe and informed patient care.
Source
Knowledge, attitudes, and concerns about medical cannabis among U.S. healthcare professionals
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