Comparison of Health Care Providers Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol in the Management of Pain and Other Symptoms in Cancer Patients.

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Medical marijuana (MM) and cannabidiol (CBD) have received increasing attention to manage pain and other symptoms even with limited scientific evidence. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> We examined the attitudes and beliefs of health care providers toward MM and CBD compared to standard treatments for cancer-associated pain and various symptoms. <b><i>Design:</i></b> Two sets of anonymous surveys (MM and CBD) containing similar items were completed by clinicians of four symptom-focused specialties. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A minority of respondents preferred recommending MM (9%) and CBD (13%), respectively, over opioids for cancer pain, while 11% and 22% felt that MM and CBD, respectively, would be useful to combine with opioids to treat cancer pain. Respondents did not favor MM or CBD over common treatment options for nonpain symptoms. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> MM and CBD were not preferred over current standard treatments for pain and other symptoms. Responses from the four specialties aligned with unique aspects of their clinical practice.