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could cannabis benefit patients with cystic fibrosis?
appetite, pain and nausea were the top three advocated indications for use.
aug 2 2021
2 minute read
asked if participants evaluated cannabis use while dealing with cf patients, just 15.4 per cent of respondents said they “always” did. /
cameravit / istock / getty images plus
by: angela stelmakowich
cystic fibrosis (cf) healthcare providers need to have a better understanding about whether or not cannabis has a role to play in treating symptoms, suggests a new study out of the u.s.
investigators reached that conclusion after receiving input from 282 survey participants across all u.s. regions, 28 per cent of them being providers and 26 per cent of them being social workers. other providers included nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and psychology care team members.
researchers wanted to determine respondent awareness of things like awareness of current cannabis laws in their respective states, prescribing practices for medical marijuana, screening and documentation practices, knowledge of and for which indications cbd could be beneficial.
asked if participants evaluated cannabis use while dealing with cf patients, just 15.4 per cent of respondents said they “always” did, notes the study released last month . the biggest chunk of those polled, 48.4 per cent, responded they “sometimes” evaluated weed use, while 41 per cent said they “rarely” or “never” did.
fully a third, 35 per cent of respondents, reported being “slightly” or “not at all” prepared to answer patient/family questions about cannabis, while about double that amount felt they would be unable to do so with regard to cbd.
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the lack of knowledge could be an issue for care given that participants reported appetite, pain and nausea were “the top three advocated indications for use.”
some symptoms of the genetic disease include persistent coughing, frequent lung infections and wheezing or shortness of breath, according to the cystic fibrosis foundation .
characterizing cannabis use assessment, documentation and education in cf care centres as variable, researchers say “there is a need for care team and patient/caregiver education materials about cannabis/cbd and cf.”
having more educational materials about cannabis-based products and cf would “allow care teams to have knowledgeable conversations with patients,” reports cystic fibrosis news today . development of related, evidence-based and peer-reviewed educational materials should be among future cf care team initiatives, the researchers added.
the lack of preparedness brings to mind another recent study, this time involving medical students. a survey showed students in israel feel unprepared to determine whether or not to use cannabis for pain management compared to their counterparts in thailand.
indeed, survey results published last year in the journal of primary care & community health found that not many people believe doctors know what’s best when it comes to cannabis. just 18 per cent of patients polled in vermont, where medical marijuana has been legal since 2004, felt their physician was a good source of information about the drug.
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