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Cannabis and its therapeutic value in the ageing population: Attitudes of health‐care providers
Author(s) -
Chandiok Karan,
Marathe Shreeya,
Rooney Miranda,
Stocker Jess,
Tellis Bianca,
Pit Sabrina
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12846
Subject(s) - population ageing , value (mathematics) , cannabis , ageing , health care , medicine , population , gerontology , psychiatry , environmental health , political science , computer science , law , machine learning
Objective(s) To explore the attitudes of health‐care providers and the perceived barriers and facilitators regarding the use of cannabis‐containing medicines (CCMs) in older patients. Methods Semi‐structured interviews with eleven health‐care providers in rural New South Wales (NSW). A thematic analysis was performed. Results Themes and recommendations include attitudes towards CCMs for therapeutic purposes, their perceived uses, side effects, barriers to use and prescription (stigma, regulation, access and driving), difficulties encountered with the Special Access Scheme (SAS) and the need for ongoing research and education. An ecological framework demonstrated the complex interactions between patients and health‐care providers and their social, community and political environment. Conclusion Providers’ attitudes towards CCM use in older patients are generally positive; however, there is a need for further high‐quality evidence on efficacy and safety, alongside improved CCM education and training, to reduce barriers to their implementation. Barriers to prescription and access continue to evolve on personal, organisational and systemic levels.