Most Australian gastroenterologists don't support cannabis for IBD despite patient demand
Only 21% of Australian gastroenterologists supported medical cannabis for IBD and just 6% understood current access pathways, despite 39% having patients already using cannabis and ranking it safer than steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
39% had patients using medical cannabis. Only 21% supported MC in IBD. Only 28% wanted to prescribe. Just 6% understood access pathways. Only 31% felt comfortable discussing MC with patients. 20% cited adverse effects as a barrier. Driving impairment (64%) and developing brain effects (56%) were top concerns. Yet most ranked MC as less hazardous than steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics. 53% supported patient participation in clinical trials.
Key Numbers
93 respondents (70 gastroenterologists, 23 trainees). 39% had MC-using patients. 21% supported MC in IBD. 28% wanted to prescribe. 6% understood access pathways. 31% comfortable discussing. 64% concerned about driving. 53% supported clinical trials.
How They Did This
Anonymous 30-item survey of 70 Australian gastroenterologists and 23 trainees, collected April-August 2019.
Why This Research Matters
The disconnect between patient use (39% of specialists had MC-using patients) and specialist support (21%) creates a gap in clinical guidance.
The Bigger Picture
Gastroenterologists may be more cautious than their patients about cannabis because they focus on disease modification (where evidence is lacking) rather than symptom relief (where patients report benefit).
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample from one country. Self-selected respondents may not represent all gastroenterologists. Survey conducted before some evidence updates.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would more gastroenterologist education change prescribing patterns?
- ?Is the gap between patient use and specialist support widening or narrowing?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 21% supported MC for IBD; only 6% knew access pathways
- Evidence Grade:
- Small survey with reasonable response quality, but limited to one country and potentially subject to selection bias.
- Study Age:
- 2020 survey from 2019.
- Original Title:
- Attitudes and Knowledge of Australian Gastroenterologists Around the Use of Medicinal Cannabis for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
- Published In:
- Crohn's & colitis 360, 2(2), otaa045 (2020)
- Authors:
- Benson, Melissa J(5), Abelev, Sarah V(3), Corte, Crispin J, Connor, Susan J, McGregor, Iain S
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02414
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do gastroenterologists recommend cannabis for IBD?
In this Australian survey, only 21% supported cannabis for IBD and 28% wanted to prescribe, despite ranking it safer than standard IBD medications like steroids and biologics.
Do IBD patients use cannabis?
39% of gastroenterologists surveyed reported having patients using medical cannabis, often without clinical guidance, highlighting a gap between patient behavior and specialist knowledge.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02414APA
Benson, Melissa J; Abelev, Sarah V; Corte, Crispin J; Connor, Susan J; McGregor, Iain S. (2020). Attitudes and Knowledge of Australian Gastroenterologists Around the Use of Medicinal Cannabis for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.. Crohn's & colitis 360, 2(2), otaa045. https://doi.org/10.1093/crocol/otaa045
MLA
Benson, Melissa J, et al. "Attitudes and Knowledge of Australian Gastroenterologists Around the Use of Medicinal Cannabis for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.." Crohn's & colitis 360, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1093/crocol/otaa045
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Attitudes and Knowledge of Australian Gastroenterologists Ar..." RTHC-02414. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/benson-2020-attitudes-and-knowledge-of
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.