Abstract

Background

Use of medical cannabis (MC) in Israel has increased since its regulatory approval in 2016. Currently, more than 1% of Israeli adults are treated with MC; this requires primary care physicians (PCPs) to be familiar with this treatment option.

Objectives

We assessed the attitudes and knowledge of Israeli PCPs toward MC and evaluated their willingness to prescribe it for different medical conditions.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey which was distributed to PCPs in Israel. Physicians were asked about their opinions, knowledge, and willingness to prescribe MC.

Results

Two hundred and one PCPs answered the questionnaire. Their average age was 47 years (±11.2), 71% were specialists. 51% of the respondents thought that MC is an effective treatment. 63% replied that they had little knowledge and 75% indicated that they would like to deepen it. 61% of the respondents were willing to initiate an MC treatment for a dying patient, while less than 50% were willing to initiate MC treatment for various other conditions. Most respondents indicated that they were willing to renew a prescription for any approved medical condition. Willingness to prescribe MC increased for physicians who agreed that MC was effective (odds ratio [OR] 21.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.40–200.85), for physicians who strongly agreed with the statement that they had sufficient knowledge (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.58–15.83) and for residents compared with specialists (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.52–10.73).

Conclusions

Our survey revealed PCPs’ differing opinions and insufficient knowledge regarding treatment with MC. These findings suggest that continuing medical education regarding MC is needed.

中文翻译：

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初级保健医生对医用大麻的态度和知识以及开药意愿：以色列的经验

摘要

背景

自 2016 年获得监管部门批准以来，以色列医用大麻 (MC) 的使用有所增加。目前，超过 1% 的以色列成年人接受 MC 治疗；这需要初级保健医生 (PCP) 熟悉这种治疗方案。

目标

我们评估了以色列 PCP 对 MC 的态度和知识，并评估了他们针对不同医疗状况开具处方的意愿。

方法

向以色列的 PCP 分发的横断面调查。医生被问及他们的意见、知识和开 MC 的意愿。

结果

201 名 PCP 回答了问卷。他们的平均年龄为 47 岁 (±11.2)，其中 71% 是专家。51%的受访者认为MC是一种有效的治疗方法。63% 的人回答说他们知之甚少，75% 的人表示他们想加深了解。61% 的受访者愿意为垂死的患者启动 MC 治疗，而不到 50% 的受访者愿意为各种其他情况启动 MC 治疗。大多数受访者表示他们愿意为任何批准的医疗状况更新处方。对于同意 MC 有效的医生（优势比 [OR] 21.9，95% 置信区间 [CI] 2.40-200.85），对于强烈同意他们有足够知识的医生（OR 5.0， 95% CI 1.58–15。

结论

我们的调查揭示了 PCP 对 MC 治疗的不同意见和知识不足。这些发现表明，需要继续对 MC 进行医学教育。