Educating Rheumatology Staff Quadrupled Medical Cannabis Referrals for Fibromyalgia Patients

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.