Cannabis Enthusiasts’ Knowledge of Medical Treatment Effectiveness and Increased Risks From Cannabis Use

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Kruger ◽  
Jessica S. Kruger ◽  
R. Lorraine Collins
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Treatment Effectiveness ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Medical Effectiveness ◽  
Research And Education

Purpose: To compare cannabis enthusiasts’ knowledge about cannabis risks and effectiveness in treating medical conditions with existing empirical evidence. Design: A brief survey assessed cannabis use, information sources, and knowledge about risks and effectiveness. Setting: A cannabis advocacy event in April 2019 in a state with legal medical and recreational cannabis. Participants: Demographically diverse adults (N = 472) who frequently used cannabis; 85% used cannabis for health or medical purposes. Measures: Participants reported the sources of their cannabis information, health conditions they thought cannabis was effective in treating (n = 10), and health risks increased by cannabis (n = 6). Conditions and risks were based on ratings of evidence (ie, from substantial to insufficient) for therapeutic effects and risks identified in a review by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM, 2017). Analyses: Chi-square tests examined the correspondence between participants’ knowledge and NASEM conclusions. Results: Most participants’ (95% confidence interval [CI]: 74%-81%) knowledge of cannabis was from their own experiences; 18% (95% CI: 14%-21%) received information from primary care providers. On average, participants’ beliefs matched NASEM conclusions for half of effectiveness (95% CI: 50%-53%) and risk items (95% CI: 55%-57%). Many (95% CI: 38%-42%) thought that cannabis use did not increase any risk. Contrary to NASEM conclusions, many thought cannabis was effective in treating cancer (76%), depressive symptoms (72%), and epilepsy (68%). Those who received cannabis information from their primary care providers had better knowledge of medical effectiveness. Medicinal cannabis use frequency inversely predicted knowledge of medical effectiveness and increased risks of adverse events. Conclusion: There were considerable discrepancies between cannabis users’ knowledge and available evidence, highlighting the need for more research and education (by physicians, caregivers, and dispensaries) on effectiveness and health risks, especially for users with specific health issues such as pregnant women and people with depression.

scholarly journals Predicting Women’s Utilization of Primary Care Mental Health Services in Mexico City

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-88
Author(s):  
Karla Mendoza ◽  
Arianna Ulloa ◽  
Nayelhi Saavedra ◽  
Jorge Galván ◽  
Shoshana Berenzon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Mental Health Provider ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Primary Care Mental Health

Objective: To analyze factors associated with and predicting Mexican women seeking primary care mental health services (PCMHS) and provide suggestions to increase PCMHS utilization. Method: We administered a questionnaire to (N = 456) female patients in Mexico City primary care clinics. We conducted chi-square analyses of seeking PCMHS and sociodemographic variables, perceptions of and experiences with PCMHS. Our results and literature review guided our logistic regression model. Results: Women referred to a mental health provider (MHP; odds ratio [OR] = 10.81, 95% CI = 3.59-32.51), whose coping mechanisms included talking to a MHP (OR = 5.53, 95% CI = 2.10-14.53), whose primary worry is loneliness (OR = 8.15, 95% CI = 1.20-55.10), and those who follow doctor’s orders; were more likely to seek PCMHS (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.09-0.92). Conclusions: Primary care providers play a fundamental role in women’s decisions to seek PCMHS. Proper referrals to PCMHS should be encouraged.

scholarly journals 849. Impact of a Combined Education and Data Driven Intervention on PrEP Uptake at the Veterans Health Administration

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S514-S515
Author(s):  
Lewis Musoke ◽  
Kristen A Allen ◽  
Kaylee Bray ◽  
Erin J Lea ◽  
Janet Briggs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Pertinent Data ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Despite proven efficacy, uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention in the US remains suboptimal. Whether electronic medical record (EMR) driven data tools increase PrEP uptake is unknown. Our study sought to understand the impact of education and an EMR data tool to increase PrEP uptake at the Veterans Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (VANEOHS). Methods Using EMR data we identified persons at the VANEOHS with a diagnosis of bacterial Sexually Transmitted Illness (STI) as defined by a positive syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia test in the past 6 months. Beginning October 2020 Infectious Diseases (ID) staff launched an intensive PrEP education campaign for Primary care providers (PCP) and the emergency room (ER). During a 6-week intervention period, a ‘PrEP candidacy’ note was placed for the PCP in selected patients’ charts with recommendations for PrEP initiation and STI co-testing if appropriate. We measured the impact of the intervention on PrEP initiations from 3/1/21-5/31/21 and compared it to a pre-intervention period of 7/1/20-9/30/20 when candidates were identified in primary care only. We extracted pertinent data through the EMR and presented descriptive statistics as means and percentages. We compared outcomes using Chi-square test with simulated p-values due to small expected values. Results Forty-two potential PrEP candidates were identified during post-intervention period compared to 6 in the pre-intervention period. The post-intervention candidates included cis-gender women (5/42, 12%) and ER referrals (6/42, 14%), both absent from the pre-intervention cohort. Compared to the pre-intervention period there was an increase in PrEP consults to ID (6 vs. 16; p=0.003) and PrEP starts (4 vs. 9; p=0.04). We observed increased rates of STI (69% vs. 50%) and HIV co-testing (79% vs. 67%) from pre to post intervention but these were not statistically different. Of the 42 candidates, 24 had been identified using the STI data tool. Of these, only 4 were referred for PrEP and none were initiated on PrEP by the end of our observation period. Conclusion The use of the data tool had no direct impact on PrEP uptake. Instead, the doubling of PrEP starts was attributable to education. Further studies are needed to maximize the utility of data tools to increase PrEP uptake. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

The Perspective of Older Men With Depression on Suicide and Its Prevention in Primary Care

Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 397-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Vannoy ◽  
Mijung Park ◽  
Meredith R. Maroney ◽  
Jürgen Unützer ◽  
Ester Carolina Apesoa-Varano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Depression Treatment ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Self Image ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Background: Suicide rates in older men are higher than in the general population, yet their utilization of mental health services is lower. Aims: This study aimed to describe: (a) what primary care providers (PCPs) can do to prevent late-life suicide, and (b) older men's attitudes toward discussing suicide with a PCP. Method: Thematic analysis of interviews focused on depression and suicide with 77 depressed, low-socioeconomic status, older men of Mexican origin, or US-born non-Hispanic whites recruited from primary care. Results: Several themes inhibiting suicide emerged: it is a problematic solution, due to religious prohibition, conflicts with self-image, the impact on others; and, lack of means/capacity. Three approaches to preventing suicide emerged: talking with them about depression, talking about the impact of their suicide on others, and encouraging them to be active. The vast majority, 98%, were open to such conversations. An unexpected theme spontaneously arose: "What prevents men from acting on suicidal thoughts?" Conclusion: Suicide is rarely discussed in primary care encounters in the context of depression treatment. Our study suggests that older men are likely to be open to discussing suicide with their PCP. We have identified several pragmatic approaches to assist clinicians in reducing older men's distress and preventing suicide.

The Bridge Program: A Model for Delivering Mental Health Services to Asian Americans through Primary Care

2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongtu Chen ◽  
Elizabeth Kramer ◽  
Teddy Chen ◽  
Jianping Chen ◽  
Henry Chung
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Asian Americans ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Bridge Program ◽  
Community Awareness

Compared to all other racial and ethnic groups, Asian Americans have the lowest utilization of mental health services. Contributing factors include extremely low community awareness about mental health, a lack of culturally competent Asian American mental health professionals, and severe stigma associated with mental illness. This manuscript describes an innovative program that bridges the gap between primary care and mental health services. The Bridge Program, cited in the supplement to the Surgeon’s General’s Report on Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity as a model for delivery of mental health services through primary care; (2) to improve capacity by enhancing the skills of primary care providers to identify and treat mental disorders commonly seen in primary care; and (3) to raise community awareness by providing health education on mental health and illness. Results are presented and the potential for replication is addressed.

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