Nurses Feel Underprepared to Care for Patients Using Medicinal Cannabis
Australian nurses want to discuss medicinal cannabis with patients but lack the confidence and education to do so effectively.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Eleven nurses described feeling underprepared. Three themes: searching for predictable processes, facing conundrums, and recognizing much to learn. All emphasized the need for education.
Key Numbers
11 nurses interviewed. Three themes. All emphasized education needs.
How They Did This
Qualitative study with thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 11 registered nurses in Australian healthcare. COREQ guidelines followed.
Why This Research Matters
As medicinal cannabis grows, nurses on the front lines receive little training. This gap affects patient experience and potentially safety.
The Bigger Picture
First study of nurses' experiences with medicinal cannabis patients in Australian healthcare. Findings likely apply globally.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample (n=11). Australian only. Not generalizable.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would standardized cannabis education modules improve patient care?
- ?Should nurses be in cannabis policy development?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- All 11 nurses emphasized the need for medicinal cannabis education
- Evidence Grade:
- Small qualitative study, rich but not generalizable.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2024.
- Original Title:
- An Exploration of Registered Nurses' Experiences Caring for Patients Taking Medicinal Cannabis.
- Published In:
- Nursing open, 11(10), e70063 (2024)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05539
Evidence Hierarchy
Uses interviews or focus groups to understand experiences in depth.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Are nurses trained in medicinal cannabis?
This study found nurses feel underprepared and want education to better support patients.
Can nurses discuss cannabis with patients?
Nurses wanted meaningful discussions but lacked the confidence and knowledge.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05539APA
McIntosh, Nicole; Wilson, Nathan J; Povalej, Petra; Hunt, Leanne; Lewis, Peter. (2024). An Exploration of Registered Nurses' Experiences Caring for Patients Taking Medicinal Cannabis.. Nursing open, 11(10), e70063. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70063
MLA
McIntosh, Nicole, et al. "An Exploration of Registered Nurses' Experiences Caring for Patients Taking Medicinal Cannabis.." Nursing open, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70063
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "An Exploration of Registered Nurses' Experiences Caring for ..." RTHC-05539. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/mcintosh-2024-an-exploration-of-registered
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.