84% of New Zealand Oncology Doctors Had Patients Ask to Prescribe Cannabis
In a survey of 45 oncology doctors in New Zealand, 84% reported patients requesting cannabis prescriptions and 98% were aware of patients using illicit cannabis for symptoms, yet most had prescribing concerns.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
84% of doctors reported patient requests to prescribe cannabis, and 98% knew of patients using illicit cannabis for symptoms. Pain, nausea/vomiting, and cancer treatment were the top reasons. 73% knew of at least one cannabis product, but 82% had prescribing concerns. All were willing to use products developed with traditional medical provenance.
Key Numbers
45/53 doctors surveyed (85% response rate). Patient cannabis requests: 84% (95% CI 70-93). Patients using illicit cannabis: 98% (95% CI 88-100). Knowledge of cannabis products: 73% (95% CI 58-85). Evidence knowledge: 60% (95% CI 44-74). Prescribing concerns: 82% (95% CI 67-92). Willing to use medical-provenance products: 100%.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey of 45 doctors (85% response rate) across four New Zealand hospital oncology departments between November 2019 and January 2020. Included consultants, registrars, and house surgeons.
Why This Research Matters
New Zealand was in the process of developing its medicinal cannabis framework during this study. Understanding what oncology doctors experience and need helps shape effective regulations and education programs.
The Bigger Picture
The gap between patient demand (nearly universal illicit use awareness) and physician readiness (widespread prescribing concerns) is a pattern seen globally. The universal willingness to prescribe properly developed products suggests the barrier is product quality and evidence, not ideological opposition.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small convenience sample from four centers. The 45-doctor sample limits generalizability. Responses reflect a specific moment during New Zealand's evolving cannabis legislation. Self-reported data may not match actual practice.
Questions This Raises
- ?Have NZ oncology prescribing patterns changed since the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme was implemented?
- ?Would targeted education programs address the knowledge gaps identified?
- ?How do patients respond when their cannabis requests are declined?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 98% of oncologists aware of patients using illicit cannabis for symptoms
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: high response rate (85%) and clear methodology, but small sample from one country.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022, data from 2019-2020.
- Original Title:
- Experiences, patient interactions and knowledge regarding the use of cannabis as a medicine in a cohort of New Zealand doctors in an oncology setting.
- Published In:
- Postgraduate medical journal, 98(1155), 35-42 (2022)
- Authors:
- Oldfield, Karen(2), Eathorne, Allie(4), Tewhaiti-Smith, Jordan, Beasley, Richard, Semprini, Alex, Braithwaite, Irene
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04115
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Are oncology doctors opposed to prescribing cannabis?
Not in principle. 100% of surveyed doctors were willing to prescribe cannabis products developed through standard pharmaceutical processes. Their concerns were about the lack of evidence, dosing guidelines, and regulatory clarity rather than opposition to cannabis itself.
Why are patients using illicit cannabis if medical cannabis is available?
At the time of the survey, New Zealand's medicinal cannabis framework was still developing. Patients may have turned to illicit sources because medical access was limited, expensive, or difficult to navigate.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04115APA
Oldfield, Karen; Eathorne, Allie; Tewhaiti-Smith, Jordan; Beasley, Richard; Semprini, Alex; Braithwaite, Irene. (2022). Experiences, patient interactions and knowledge regarding the use of cannabis as a medicine in a cohort of New Zealand doctors in an oncology setting.. Postgraduate medical journal, 98(1155), 35-42. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139013
MLA
Oldfield, Karen, et al. "Experiences, patient interactions and knowledge regarding the use of cannabis as a medicine in a cohort of New Zealand doctors in an oncology setting.." Postgraduate medical journal, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139013
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Experiences, patient interactions and knowledge regarding th..." RTHC-04115. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/oldfield-2022-experiences-patient-interactions-and
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.