An exploration of medical professionals’ attitudes, perceived knowledge and concerns around medical cannabis in the United Kingdom

Article

Heeg, H., Morari, A., Lynskey, M. and Turner, J. 2024. An exploration of medical professionals’ attitudes, perceived knowledge and concerns around medical cannabis in the United Kingdom. Drug Science, Policy and Law. 10. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503245241283699
AuthorsHeeg, H., Morari, A., Lynskey, M. and Turner, J.
Abstract

Background
In the UK, there are over 40,000 specialist clinicians who are eligible to prescribe cannabis-based medical products (CBMPs); however, only approximately 100 actively do so (0.25%). Since the legalization of medical cannabis in the UK in 2018, there has been a limited number of prescriptions issued by the National Health Service (NHS). Availability through private healthcare is rising, with current estimates suggesting that 25,000–30,000 patients are accessing medical cannabis though private clinics.
Objective
The objectives of this study were (1) to assess attitudes, perceived knowledge and concerns around medical cannabis among medical/health care professionals (HCPs) in the UK, and (2) to examine differences between professionals who had previously undertaken training on medical cannabis and those who had not.
Methods
Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, a questionnaire was presented to participants to explore their personal and professional perspectives towards medical cannabis. Questions addressed HCPs’ perceived knowledge, confidence and concerns about medical cannabis prescribing, alongside their personal experiences and attitudes toward legalization.
Results
A total of 72 HCPs completed the survey, of which 55.6% had received training in medical cannabis. HCPs trained in medical cannabis reported a statistically significant higher perceived knowledge of medical cannabis, greater confidence in prescribing and increased recognition of its value as a medicine compared to their non-trained colleagues (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Notably, trained individuals were significantly less concerned that use of medical cannabis lacks sufficient evidence of efficacy (X2(1) = 8.74, (p = 0.003). Barriers to prescription and cost of medical cannabis were the most endorsed concerns among both HCP groups.
Conclusions
The study found that undergoing medical cannabis training is associated with less hesitancy in prescribing CBMPs and increased confidence in its medicinal value.

JournalDrug Science, Policy and Law
Journal citation10
ISSN2050-3245
Year2024
PublisherSAGE Publications
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Anyone
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/20503245241283699
Publication dates
Online25 Sep 2024
Publication process dates
AcceptedAug 2024
Deposited24 Oct 2024
Copyright holder© 2024 by Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs
Additional information

Heeg H, Morari A, Lynskey M, Turner JJ. An exploration of medical professionals’ attitudes, perceived knowledge and concerns around medical cannabis in the United Kingdom. Drug Science, Policy and Law. 2024;10. © 2024 by Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs. doi:10.1177/20503245241283699

Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/8y822

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
Heeg et al MedCannabis repversion.pdf
License: All rights reserved
File access level: Anyone

  • 39
    total views
  • 8
    total downloads
  • 16
    views this month
  • 4
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The impact of a brief online mindfulness intervention to support erectile dysfunction in African Caribbean men: a pilot waitlist controlled randomised controlled trial and content analysis
Banbury, S., Jean-Marie, D., Lusher, J., Chandler, C. and Turner, J. 2024. The impact of a brief online mindfulness intervention to support erectile dysfunction in African Caribbean men: a pilot waitlist controlled randomised controlled trial and content analysis. Revista de Psicoterapia. 35 (128), pp. 4-12. https://doi.org/10.5944/rdp.v35i128.40382
A Preliminary Study Looking at the Use of Mindful Compassion and Cannabis Suppositories for Anodyspareunia among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)
Banbury, S., Chandler, C., Erridge, S., Turner, J., del Rio Olvera, J. and Lusher, J. 2024. A Preliminary Study Looking at the Use of Mindful Compassion and Cannabis Suppositories for Anodyspareunia among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM). Psychoactives. 3 (3), pp. 384-399. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychoactives3030024
Understanding the experiences of ketogenic metabolic therapy for people living with varying levels of depressive symptoms: a thematic analysis
Bellamy, E. L., Hadjiefthyvoulou, F., Walsh, J., Brown, J. and Turner, J. 2024. Understanding the experiences of ketogenic metabolic therapy for people living with varying levels of depressive symptoms: a thematic analysis. Frontiers in Nutrition. 11 (Art. 1397546). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1397546
Predictors of Suicide Attempts in Male UK Gamblers Seeking Residential Treatment
Sharman, S., Murphy, R., Turner, J. and Roberts, A. 2021. Predictors of Suicide Attempts in Male UK Gamblers Seeking Residential Treatment. Addictive Behaviors. 126 (Art. 107171). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107171
Review: Non‐invasive brain stimulation in behavioral addictions: insights from direct comparisons with substance use disorders
Gomis Vicent, E., Thoma, V., Turner, J., Hill, K. P. and Pascual‐Leone, A. 2019. Review: Non‐invasive brain stimulation in behavioral addictions: insights from direct comparisons with substance use disorders. The American Journal on Addictions. 28 (6), pp. 431-454. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.12945
Psychosocial Risk Factors in Disordered Gambling: A Descriptive Systematic Overview of Vulnerable Populations
Sharman, S., Murphy, R., Turner, J. and Roberts, A. 2019. Psychosocial Risk Factors in Disordered Gambling: A Descriptive Systematic Overview of Vulnerable Populations. Addictive Behaviors. 99 (Art. 106071). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106071
Predictors of Dropout in Disordered Gamblers in UK Residential Treatment
Roberts, A., Murphy, R., Turner, J. and Sharman, S. 2019. Predictors of Dropout in Disordered Gamblers in UK Residential Treatment. Journal of Gambling Studies. 36, p. 373–386. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-019-09876-7
Psychosocial correlates in treatment seeking gamblers: Differences in early age onset gamblers vs later age onset gamblers
Sharman, S., Murphy, Raegan, Turner, J. and Roberts, Amanda 2019. Psychosocial correlates in treatment seeking gamblers: Differences in early age onset gamblers vs later age onset gamblers. Addictive Behaviors. 97, pp. 20-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.05.013
Trends and patterns in UK treatment seeking gamblers: 2000–2015
Sharman, S., Murphy, Raegan, Turner, J. and Roberts, Amanda 2018. Trends and patterns in UK treatment seeking gamblers: 2000–2015. Addictive Behaviors. 89, pp. 51-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.09.009
Psychiatric profiles of mothers who take Ecstasy/MDMA during pregnancy: Reduced depression 1 year after giving birth and quitting Ecstasy
Turner, J., Parrott, Andrew C, Goodwin, Julia, Moore, Derek G, Fulton, Sarah, Min, Meeyoung O and Singer, Lynn T 2014. Psychiatric profiles of mothers who take Ecstasy/MDMA during pregnancy: Reduced depression 1 year after giving birth and quitting Ecstasy. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 28 (1), pp. 55-61. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881113515061
Aspects of alcohol use disorder affecting social cognition as assessed using the Mini Social and Emotional Assessment (mini-SEA)
Cox, Sharon, Bertoux, Maxime, Turner, J., Moss, Antony, Locker, Kirsty and Riggs, Kevin 2018. Aspects of alcohol use disorder affecting social cognition as assessed using the Mini Social and Emotional Assessment (mini-SEA). Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 187, pp. 165-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.03.004
Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS): no longer legal, not always highs
Turner, J. and Soar, K. 2017. Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS): no longer legal, not always highs. University & College Counselling. 2017 (March), pp. 16-21.
Gambling and violence in a nationally representative sample of UK men
Roberts, A., Coid, Jeremy, King, Robert, Murphy, Reagan, Turner, J., Bowden-Jones, Henrietta, Palmer Du Preez, Katie and Landon, Jason 2016. Gambling and violence in a nationally representative sample of UK men. Addiction. 111 (12), pp. 2196-2207. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13522
Investigating the effects of caffeine on executive functions using traditional Stroop and a new ecologically-valid virtual reality task, the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions (JEF©)
Soar, K., Chapman, E., Sivakuma, N., Jansari, A.S. and Turner, J. 2016. Investigating the effects of caffeine on executive functions using traditional Stroop and a new ecologically-valid virtual reality task, the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions (JEF©). Appetite. 105, pp. 156-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.05.021
Motor delays in MDMA (ecstasy) exposed infants persist to 2years
Singer, Lynn T., Moore, D., Min, Meeyoung O., Goodwin, Julia, Turner, J., Fulton, Sarah and Parrott, Andrew C. 2016. Motor delays in MDMA (ecstasy) exposed infants persist to 2years. Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 54, pp. 22-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2016.01.003
Developmental outcomes of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy)-exposed infants in the UK
Singer, Lynn T., Moore, Derek G., Min, Meeyoung O., Goodwin, Julia, Turner, J., Fulton, Sarah and Parrott, Andrew C. 2015. Developmental outcomes of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy)-exposed infants in the UK. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 30 (4), pp. 290-294. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2459
One-Year Outcomes of Prenatal Exposure to MDMA and Other Recreational Drugs
Singer, L.T., Moore, D., Min, M.O., Goodwin, J., Turner, J., Fulton, S. and Parrott, A.C. 2012. One-Year Outcomes of Prenatal Exposure to MDMA and Other Recreational Drugs. Pediatrics. 130 (3), pp. 407-413. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-0666
MDMA and heightened cortisol: a neurohormonal perspective on the pregnancy outcomes of mothers used ‘Ecstasy’ during pregnancy
Parrott, Andrew C., Moore, D., Turner, J., Goodwin, Julia E., Min, Meeyoung O. and Singer, Lynn T. 2014. MDMA and heightened cortisol: a neurohormonal perspective on the pregnancy outcomes of mothers used ‘Ecstasy’ during pregnancy. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 29 (1), pp. 1-7.
‘Vaping’ profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users
Dawkins, L., Turner, J., Roberts, A. and Soar, K. 2013. ‘Vaping’ profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users. Addiction. 108 (6), pp. 1115-1125. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12150
Nicotine derived from the electronic cigarette improves time-based prospective memory in abstinent smokers
Dawkins, L., Turner, J. and Crowe, Eadaoin 2013. Nicotine derived from the electronic cigarette improves time-based prospective memory in abstinent smokers. Psychopharmacology. 227 (3), pp. 377-384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-2983-2
The electronic-cigarette: effects on desire to smoke, withdrawal symptoms and cognition
Dawkins, L., Turner, J., Hasna, Surrayyah and Soar, K. 2012. The electronic-cigarette: effects on desire to smoke, withdrawal symptoms and cognition. Addictive Behaviors. 37 (8), pp. 970-973.
Attributions for psychobiological changes in ecstasy/MDMA and other polydrug users
Soar, K., Parrott, A.C. and Turner, J. 2009. Attributions for psychobiological changes in ecstasy/MDMA and other polydrug users. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 23 (7), pp. 745-758.
During pregnancy, recreational drug-using women stop taking ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) and reduce alcohol consumption but continue to smoke tobacco and cannabis
Moore, D., Turner, J., Parrott, A.C., Goodwin, J.E., Fulton, S., Min, M.O., Fox, H.C., Braddick, F.M.B., Toplis, A.S., Axelsson, E.L., Lynch, S., Ribeiro, H., Frostick, C. and Singer, L.T. 2010. During pregnancy, recreational drug-using women stop taking ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) and reduce alcohol consumption but continue to smoke tobacco and cannabis. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 24 (9), pp. 1403-1410.
In-utero exposure to the popular ‘recreational’ drugs MDMA (Ecstasy) and Methamphetamine (Ice, Crystal): preliminary findings
Moore, D., Turner, J., Goodwin, J.E., Fulton, S.E., Singer, L.T. and Parrott, A.C. 2011. In-utero exposure to the popular ‘recreational’ drugs MDMA (Ecstasy) and Methamphetamine (Ice, Crystal): preliminary findings. in: Preece, P.M. and Riley, E.P. (ed.) Alcohol, drugs and medication in pregnancy: the long-term outcome for the child John Wiley & Sons.