Most Pennsylvania clinicians felt unprepared to discuss medical cannabis with patients | Research

The takeaway

A survey of 344 Pennsylvania clinicians found most felt they lacked adequate training about medical cannabis and were uncomfortable discussing it with patients despite growing demand.

Medical educators, healthcare administrators, medical cannabis program directors, and clinicians seeking to improve cannabis literacy.

344 clinicians surveyed; most reported insufficient cannabis training

What the researchers found

The majority of surveyed clinicians reported insufficient training about medical cannabis, low comfort discussing it with patients, and varying attitudes toward its medical use. Training gaps crossed professional disciplines.

Why it matters

Patients increasingly ask clinicians about medical cannabis, but most medical and health professional training programs provide little to no cannabis education. This gap leaves patients without reliable clinical guidance.

The numbers in context

344 Pennsylvania clinicians surveyed. 14% response rate. Most reported insufficient cannabis training and low comfort with patient discussions.

How the study worked

Brief online survey of 344 clinicians in Pennsylvania (14% response rate). Assessed attitudes, training experiences, and beliefs about medical cannabis across multiple healthcare professions.

What this study cannot tell us

Low response rate (14%) raises self-selection concerns. Pennsylvania-specific findings may not generalize. Survey format cannot capture depth of knowledge or clinical practice. Clinicians who completed the survey may differ systematically from non-responders.

How to read the evidence

Cross-sectional survey with low response rate. Useful for identifying training gaps but limited generalizability.

When this study was published

Published 2023.

The bigger picture

Medical cannabis is legal in most US states, yet medical education has not adapted. The disconnect between legal access and clinical knowledge means patients are making decisions about a legal treatment largely without professional guidance.

Questions still open

What cannabis training curriculum would most effectively improve clinician comfort and knowledge? Would training change prescribing behavior or patient outcomes?

Common questions

Are doctors trained about medical cannabis?

According to this survey, most Pennsylvania clinicians felt they lacked adequate training about medical cannabis. This is consistent with findings from other states. Medical school curricula and continuing education programs have been slow to incorporate cannabis-specific content.

Should I ask my doctor about medical cannabis?

This study suggests many clinicians may not feel comfortable or knowledgeable about discussing cannabis. You may get more informed guidance from clinicians who have pursued specific cannabis education or who work in medical cannabis programs.

Read the original research

Clinician Attitudes, Training, and Beliefs About Cannabis: An Interprofessional Assessment.

Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 8(3), 547-556

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Worster, Brooke; Ashare, Rebecca L; Hajjar, Emily; Garber, Greg; Smith, Kelsey; Kelly, Erin L. (2023). Clinician Attitudes, Training, and Beliefs About Cannabis: An Interprofessional Assessment.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 8(3), 547-556. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0022