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Article

Mandatory pharmacist-led education session for patients seeking medical cannabis

Vikas Parihar1, Laura Katz2, Mahmoud A. Siyam3, Anna Rogers4, Lisa Patterson4, Ramesh Zacharias1

  1. 1Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic, Hamilton Health Sciences, & Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
  2. 2Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic, Hamilton Health Sciences, & Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behavior, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
  3. 3Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic, Hamilton Health Sciences, & School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
  4. 4Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Received: 17-07-2020; Accepted: 15-11-2020.

Volume 18, Issue 4 · pp. 2088 · PUBLISHED Oct-Dec 2020 · DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2020.4.2088

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ABSTRACT

Objective: The primary objectives of this pre-post session study, was to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led education session on the perceived benefits and safety of cannabis among patients with chronic pain, as well as determine the influence of pharmacist education on the selection of safer cannabis products and dosage forms for medical use among patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of completed pre-post session questionnaires was conducted among chronic pain patients attending a mandatory education session led by a pharmacist, prior to being authorized cannabis in clinic. All questionnaire data was analyzed using SPSS v. 25. Demographic and sample characteristics were reviewed using univariate analyses. Chi-Square tests were employed to determine if the group-based education significantly affected knowledge, perception of efficacy and safety of cannabis. Results: Of the 260 session participants, 203 completed pre-post session questionnaires. After the session, a majority of current cannabis users (33.8%) and cannabis naïve/past users (56.9%) reported they would use a low THC product in the future, and a majority of current users (54.5%) would use a high CBD product in the future. After education, participants were more likely to report cannabis as having the potential for addiction (chi-square =42.6, p <0.0001) and harm (chi-square =34.0, p <0.0001). Conclusions: Pharmacist counselling and education has the potential to influence patient selection and use of cannabis, from more harmful to safer products, as well as moderate the potential perceived benefits of use.

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    Parihar, V., Katz, L., Siyam, M. A., Rogers, A., Patterson, L., & Zacharias, R. (2020). Mandatory pharmacist-led education session for patients seeking medical cannabis. Pharmacy Practice, 18(4), 2088. https://doi.org/10.18549/PharmPract.2020.4.2088