Braun IM, et al. - Researchers examined oncologists’ beliefs, knowledge, and practices regarding medical marijuana (MM), since there seems to be some discrepancy between MM laws in different states and the scientific evidence supporting MM use in oncology. They found a discrepancy between oncologists’ self-reported knowledge base and their beliefs and practices regarding MM. Such a discrepancy was concerning. Oncologists report not feeling equipped to make clinical recommendations regarding MM, as reported by 70% of them. Nonetheless, discussions regarding MM were carried out by a vast majority of oncologists, and MM was clinically recommended by nearly one-half of them. The utility of MM for certain indications was supported by a majority.

Methods

• Researchers mailed a survey on MM to a nationally-representative, random sample of 400 medical oncologists in November 2016.
• The following main outcome measures were assessed: whether oncologists reported discussing MM with patients, recommended MM clinically in the past year, or felt sufficiently informed to make such recommendations.
• They also asked oncologists’ views on MM’s comparative effectiveness for several conditions (including its use as an adjunct to standard pain management strategies) and its risks relative to prescription opioids.
• They performed bivariate and multivariate analyses using standard statistical techniques.

Results

• The overall response rate was estimated to be 63%.
• With respect to MM, they found that only 30% of oncologists felt sufficiently informed to make recommendations, yet 80% conducted discussions with patients, and 46% made clinical recommendations.
• According to 67% oncologists, MM can serve as a helpful adjunct to standard pain management strategies, and 65% considered MM to be equally or more effective than standard treatments for anorexia and cachexia.