Healthcare providers are generally positive about medical cannabis for older patients but face significant barriers
Rural Australian healthcare providers expressed generally positive attitudes toward medical cannabis for older patients but identified stigma, regulation, access difficulties, and driving laws as major barriers.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Providers were generally positive about medical cannabis for older patients but identified multiple barriers: stigma from patients and colleagues, complex regulatory pathways (Special Access Scheme), limited access in rural areas, restrictive driving laws, and insufficient education and evidence.
Key Numbers
11 healthcare providers interviewed; rural NSW, Australia; barriers include stigma, regulation, access, driving laws; Special Access Scheme identified as difficult
How They Did This
Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 11 healthcare providers in rural New South Wales, Australia, analyzed using thematic analysis and an ecological framework.
Why This Research Matters
As the aging population grows and cannabis-based medicines become available, understanding provider attitudes and barriers is essential for ensuring older patients can access these treatments when appropriate.
The Bigger Picture
Provider attitudes are a critical bottleneck in medical cannabis access. Even when providers are supportive, systemic barriers at personal, organizational, and regulatory levels can prevent patients from receiving treatment.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small qualitative sample (11 providers), single rural region in Australia, may not generalize to urban settings or other countries, provider self-selection may bias toward those interested in cannabis.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would simplified regulatory pathways increase prescribing for older patients?
- ?What education programs would most effectively reduce provider hesitancy?
- ?How do driving restrictions affect medical cannabis uptake in rural areas where driving is essential?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Stigma, regulation, and driving laws are top barriers to prescribing for seniors
- Evidence Grade:
- Small qualitative study with 11 providers from a single rural region
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021 from rural Australia. Medical cannabis regulatory barriers continue to evolve.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis and its therapeutic value in the ageing population: Attitudes of health-care providers.
- Published In:
- Australasian journal on ageing, 40(3), 261-274 (2021)
- Authors:
- Chandiok, Karan, Marathe, Shreeya, Rooney, Miranda, Stocker, Jess, Tellis, Bianca, Pit, Sabrina
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03054
Evidence Hierarchy
Uses interviews or focus groups to understand experiences in depth.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Are doctors willing to prescribe medical cannabis for older patients?
This study found generally positive attitudes, but providers face significant barriers including stigma, complex regulation, and concerns about drug interactions and driving restrictions for older patients.
What stops doctors from prescribing medical cannabis?
Key barriers include the complex Special Access Scheme regulatory pathway, social stigma from patients and colleagues, limited access in rural areas, driving restrictions that affect patient mobility, and insufficient education and evidence.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03054APA
Chandiok, Karan; Marathe, Shreeya; Rooney, Miranda; Stocker, Jess; Tellis, Bianca; Pit, Sabrina. (2021). Cannabis and its therapeutic value in the ageing population: Attitudes of health-care providers.. Australasian journal on ageing, 40(3), 261-274. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12846
MLA
Chandiok, Karan, et al. "Cannabis and its therapeutic value in the ageing population: Attitudes of health-care providers.." Australasian journal on ageing, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12846
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis and its therapeutic value in the ageing population:..." RTHC-03054. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/chandiok-2021-cannabis-and-its-therapeutic
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.