PHILADELPHIA, PA — A recent survey of 2,500 patients has shed light on the challenges in adopting medical cannabis as a pain management option. The study, conducted by researchers from the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, found social stigma, cost, and lack of provider knowledge as significant hurdles.
The research, titled “Perspectives of Orthopedic Patients on Medical Cannabis: A Survey of More Than 2500 Patients,” offers valuable insights that could help make medical cannabis more accessible and effective for pain management.
“Most respondents would consider using medical cannabis for chronic pain or other medical conditions. However, older patients were significantly less likely to believe that medical cannabis is safe to use or that it is safer than prescription opioids,” said Dr. Asif Ilyas, President of the Rothman Opioid Foundation and senior author of the study.
Awareness of the legal status of medical cannabis was high among respondents, with 90% of them believing that medical cannabis should be legal throughout the United States. However, the social stigma associated with its use and the cost remain barriers.
“Ninety-one percent of respondents believed that medical cannabis should be covered by medical insurance, although currently, it is not,” explained Ilyas.
Other barriers identified in the study included a lack of clarity on the best delivery method, concentrations, and ratios for medical cannabis use. This aligns with the existing challenge in the medical use of cannabis – the absence of established evidence-based prescription guidelines for various medical conditions.
The survey also found that only a quarter of respondents were aware of the potential use of medical cannabis for opioid use disorder. Additionally, a separate survey revealed that 50% of primary care providers in a state where medical cannabis had been legal for two years were either unprepared or unwilling to answer patient questions about medical cannabis.
The findings underscore the need for increased education for both patients and healthcare providers about the potential benefits and use of medical cannabis for pain management. Addressing these barriers could open the door to a more widespread acceptance and use of this alternative treatment option.
The study appears in the Nov-Dec 2022 issue of Orthopedics. In addition to his role at the Rothman Opioid Foundation, Ilyas is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and an Associate Dean of Clinical Research at the Drexel University College of Medicine in Pennsylvania.
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