An educational intervention about medical cannabis benefits for fibromyalgia increased referral rates from 4% to 17% in a rheumatology clinic, a statistically significant change.
Rheumatologists, fibromyalgia patients, and healthcare educators interested in medical cannabis integration.
Referral rate increased from 4% to 17% after education
What the researchers found
Following an educational intervention on the benefits of medical cannabis for fibromyalgia, medical cannabis referrals increased from 4% to 17% of eligible patients (Z-score 2.3143, p = 0.0103).
Why it matters
Polypharmacy is a significant problem in fibromyalgia management. If medical cannabis can replace some conventional medications, provider education about this option could improve holistic patient care. The dramatic increase in referrals suggests that many providers simply were not aware of the option.
The numbers in context
Pre-intervention: 4% referral rate. Post-intervention: 17% referral rate. Z-score: 2.3143. P-value: 0.0103.
How the study worked
Quality improvement project in a single rheumatology clinic. An educational intervention on medical cannabis benefits for fibromyalgia was implemented for clinic staff. Pre- and post-intervention referral rates were compared.
What this study cannot tell us
Single clinic quality improvement project. No control group. Short follow-up period. Increased referrals do not necessarily mean improved patient outcomes. The educational content may have been advocacy-oriented rather than balanced.
How to read the evidence
Single-site quality improvement project without a control group. Demonstrates feasibility but not effectiveness of the referrals themselves.
When this study was published
Published in 2025.
The bigger picture
Provider education appears to be a major bottleneck for medical cannabis access. If a simple educational intervention can quadruple referral rates, similar programs could substantially increase patient access across other specialties.
Questions still open
- Do the referred patients actually benefit from medical cannabis? Would similar educational interventions work in other specialties?
Common questions
Does medical cannabis help fibromyalgia?
Why were referral rates so low before the intervention?
Read the original research
Improving Awareness and Use of Medical Cannabis for Fibromyalgia.
Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association, 8980101251376863
Citation
McClure, Linh M; West, Gordon F. (2025). Improving Awareness and Use of Medical Cannabis for Fibromyalgia.. Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association, 8980101251376863. https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101251376863
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