Drug Science Research: medical cannabis education amongst healthcare professionals

Why this research matters 

Even though medical cannabis has been legal in the UK for almost six years, there is still a lack of awareness and understanding about its therapeutic use, particularly among healthcare professionals. 

Out of 40,000 specialist clinicians who are eligible to prescribe cannabis in the UK, only around 100 (0.25%) actually do. And even though the number of patients accessing private prescriptions has increased significantly, there are still fewer than five obtained through the NHS.

There are many reasons for this, such as the fact that doctors are generally not taught about the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in medical school and the fact that cannabis has for decades been associated with illegal drug use.

But it’s crucial that healthcare professionals are educated and have some level of understanding of cannabis-based medicines, to not only increase access, but to avoid stigmatising patients who choose this treatment option.

Key findings: healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards medical cannabis

The Drug Science report surveyed 72 healthcare professionals from various sectors to explore their perspectives towards medical cannabis. Questions addressed their perceived knowledge, confidence, and concerns about prescribing, alongside their personal experiences and attitudes towards legalisation.

Gaps in knowledge and training

One of the key findings in this paper was that a significant proportion of healthcare professionals felt they lacked sufficient knowledge about medical cannabis. Of those who completed the survey, just over half (55.6%) had undergone training related to medical cannabis.

The researchers’ analysis revealed that those who had received training had greater perceived knowledge of medical cannabis.

Confidence in prescribing 

Healthcare professionals who had received training were more confident in prescribing medical cannabis and demonstrated increased recognition of its potential benefits in clinical practice. These professionals also demonstrated a deeper understanding of the legal and regulatory framework surrounding its use, as well as the conditions it can be used to treat.

Attitudes towards medical cannabis 

Attitudes among healthcare professionals varied in this survey, with some expressing caution due to the perceived lack of robust clinical evidence and concerns over safety. However, those with formal training or experience in prescribing were more likely to view it as a viable treatment option, especially for conditions that have not responded well to conventional treatments.

Barriers and challenges in clinical practice 

The healthcare professionals that took part cited several barriers to the wider prescribing of medical cannabis. These included insufficient evidence, restrictive prescribing guidelines, and concerns about potential side effects or interactions with other medications.

Some professionals mentioned the stigma attached to cannabis, both from within the medical community and from patients, as a hindrance to wider adoption.

Barriers to prescription and the cost of medical cannabis were the most endorsed concerns among both groups.

Possible limitations of the research

While this report offers some valuable insights into the perspectives of healthcare professionals, there are a number of limitations to consider.

As well as the small sample size, which may not fully represent the broader spectrum of UK healthcare professionals, the study relied on self-reported data, which can introduce biases such as overestimation of knowledge or confidence. 

The researchers also didn’t differentiate between licensed and unlicensed products, instead the term ‘medical cannabis’ is used to encompass a wide variety of forms and concentrations of active ingredients, which could have affected the results. 

Further research on healthcare professionals and medical cannabis education

In the six years since medical cannabis was legalised in the UK, other studies have carried out similar analyses. The findings broadly highlight a general lack of awareness and education on medical cannabis among healthcare professionals, both in the UK and internationally. 

In a recent study, exploring the experience of medical cannabis patients, participants reported that their NHS healthcare providers ‘lack knowledge’ of the legality of cannabis medicines. While some were ‘curious and keen to learn’ others displayed ‘stigmatising attitudes’ towards prescribed patients.

Meanwhile, the Known Unknowns of Medical Cannabis, report published in December 2022 by Volteface, shed some light on what healthcare professionals perceived to be the main challenges, identifying issues including lack of governance, insufficient high quality evidence and doctors not being educated or supported in prescribing. 

But some surveys have suggested an increasing interest and gradual shift in attitudes, with around three-quarters of GPs saying they were 'open-minded’ about prescribing cannabis-based medicines back in 2021. In a smaller survey in 2023, 65% of healthcare professionals said they thought medical cannabis should be available on the NHS when conventional treatments have failed.

Looking forward: investing in education 

While more extensive research is needed to draw definitive conclusions, the recent Drug Science report provides a snapshot of healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes toward medical cannabis in the UK. 

With increasing patient interest in cannabis-based treatments, it is essential that healthcare professionals have the adequate training to provide evidence-based advice and care and avoid perpetuating stigma. The positive link between training and confidence in prescribing suggests that investing in education could lead to more widespread and effective use of medical cannabis in clinical practice. 

To learn more about medical cannabis and the conditions it can help treat, visit Releaf’s blog and education section.