With legalisation and increasingly widespread use of cannabis, healthcare providers should be as open-minded about cannabis use in their patients as possible
Marian Wilson, registered nurse and associate professor at the Washington State University College of Nursing, argues in a recent paper that enquiring about it like they would alcohol or tobacco is necessary to obtain adequate patient histories and build trust.
Many studies have indicated that patients are using it to treat pain in much the same way they do opioids. Since they are using it in this way, they need to be asked about it for pain management. Since patients are reluctant to disclose this information with clinicians, there is currently a lack of information on prevalence and usage habits.
“We want this paper to guide providers in how they can start opening up this conversation and normalising it,” Wilson said. “Central to patient-centred conversations is understanding the top priorities of patients. Researchers have suggested that clinicians should ask ‘What matters to you?’ as well as ‘What is the matter?'”
Source: News-Medical.Net
