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Do PCPs Recommend Medical Marijuana to Patients?

J Am Board Fam Med; 2018 Sep-Oct; Kondrad, et al

Publish date:: October 9, 2018

Communication is poor between patients and primary care physicians (PCPs) regarding medical marijuana use, a recent study found. Paired surveys were distributed to PCPs and their patients to assess the frequency of patient marijuana use and communication with PCPs about use. Researchers found:

Of 242 patients surveyed, 22% reported marijuana use in the past 6 months and 61% identified as medical marijuana users.
PCPs did not complete state forms to recommend medical marijuana for any of the surveyed medical marijuana users.
PCPs were aware of marijuana use in their patients only 53% of the time.
PCPs identified conditions they believed could be adversely affected by marijuana use in 31% of users.

Citation:

Kondrad EC, Reed AJ, Simpson MJ, Nease Jr DE. Lack of communication about medical marijuana use between doctors and their patients. J Am Board Fam Med. 2018;31:805-808. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2018.05.170462.

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