scholarly journals Information Sources and Training Needs on Medical Marijuana- Preliminary Results from a State-wide Provider Survey

Author(s):  
Ruba Sajdeya ◽  
Jennifer Jean-Jacques ◽  
Anna Shavers ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Nathan Pipitone ◽  
...  

Medical marijuana (MMJ) is legal in the state of Florida for the treatment of specific qualifying medical conditions.1,2 As of July 2020, over 2,450 physicians are authorized to order MMJ, and 360,000 patients are registered in Florida’s MMJ program.3 With this rapid uptake come concerns regarding physicians’ knowledge about MMJ,4–7 and the lack of preparing physicians-in-training to manage MMJ.4,7,8 We conducted a state-wide survey of certified MMJ providers in Florida. The survey was developed by the Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes research team. The aim of the survey was to inform physicians of the mission of the consortium, which is to support and disseminate research. The survey items were developed accordingly, and the survey was pilot tested with a small group of physicians. We identified all physicians licensed to certify patients for MMJ who care currently practicing in the State of Florida (n=1609), to investigate their information sources and training needs regarding MMJ. The survey was disseminated via mail and email, including a $40 incentive for survey completion. Preliminary responses from 51 (5%) providers (mean age 56, 74% male) are summarized here. The sample included providers from 22 Florida counties and represented a broad range of medical specialties. The majority (92%) practiced in both medical marijuana and traditional medical practice. To learn about MMJ, 98% used research articles, 90% used online sources, 86% learned from dispensary staff, 84% learned from discussions with other providers, 72% used books, 65% used conferences, 61% used magazines, and 35% had a personal experience with marijuana. The sources most cited as “very useful” were conferences (51%), research articles (50%), discussions with other providers (47%), and online sources (47%). Topics rated as a high priority for training included drug-MMJ interactions (80%), strategies to help patients reduce their use of opioids or other drugs (80%), information about the selection of doses and CBD: THC ratios (80%), evidence for managing specific medical conditions or symptoms (78%), information about the effect of different phytocannabinoids and terpenes (75%), advantages and disadvantages of specific modes of delivery (71%), general updates on research findings (71%), educational information about the endocannabinoid system (67%), the safety of medical marijuana use (55%), identification and management of cannabis use disorder (51%), and comparison of products available in different dispensaries (49%). The majority of providers either strongly agreed or agreed (77%) that they could provide better care if they knew which products their patients receive at dispensaries. Physicians use a blend of primary research, online sources, and exchanges with colleagues to learn about MMJ. Perceived needs for more pharmacological information and indication-specific detail for treatment regimen were high. Most physicians believe that details on dispensed MMJ would improve patient care.

2003 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 86-86
Author(s):  
Anno Batchelor

Many of you will remember being accosted by me either at the State of the Art meeting or by email asking what your (or your trainees) educational needs are and what the Society should be doing to help you fulfil them.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne R. Hawley ◽  
Gary C. Hawley ◽  
Elizabeth Ablah ◽  
Theresa St. Romain ◽  
Craig A. Molgaard ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroduction:The coordination and integration of mental health agencies' plans into disaster responses is a critical step for ensuring effective response to all-hazard emergencies.Problem:In order to remedy the current lack of integration of mental health into emergency preparedness training, researchers must assess mental health emergency preparedness training needs. To date, no recognized assessment exists.The current study addresses this need by qualitatively surveying public health and allied health professionals regarding mental health preparedness in Kansas.Methods:Participants included 144 professionals from public health and allied fields, all of whom attended one of seven training presentations on mental health preparedness. Following each presentation, participants provided written responses to nine qualitative questions about preparedness and mental health preparedness needs, as well as demographic information, and a program evaluation. Survey questions addressed perceptions of bioterrorism and mental health preparedness, perceptions about resource and training needs, as well as coordination of preparedness efforts.Results:Overall, few respondents indicated that they felt their county or community was prepared to respond to an attack. Respondents felt less prepared for mental health issues than they did for preparedness issues in general. The largest proportion of respondents reported that they would look to a community mental health center or the state health department for mental health preparedness information. Most respondents recognized the helpfulness of interagency coordination for mental health preparedness, and reported a willingness to take an active role in coordination.Conclusions:The current study provides important data about the gaps regarding mental health preparedness in Kansas.This study demonstrates the present lack of preparedness and the need for coordination to reach an appropriate level of mental health preparedness for the state.These findings are the first step to implementing effective distribution of information and training.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110427
Author(s):  
Ruba Sajdeya ◽  
Anna Shavers ◽  
Jennifer Jean-Jacques ◽  
Brianna Costales ◽  
Sebastian Jugl ◽  
...  

Background: Little is known about the clinical training or practice experiences among physicians who certify patients for medical marijuana. The objective of this study was to determine information sources, factors influencing recommendations, clinical practices in patient assessment, communications, and recommendations, and priority areas for additional training among physicians who certify patients for medical marijuana. Methods: A cross-sectional state-wide anonymous survey of registered medical marijuana physicians in Florida between June and October 2020 was administered. Numerical responses were quantified using counts and percentages. The frequencies for “often” and “always” responses were aggregated when appropriate. Results: Among 116 respondents, the mean (standard deviation) age was 57 (12) years old, and 70% were male. The most frequently used information sources were research articles (n = 102, 95%), followed by online sources (n = 99, 93%), and discussions with other providers and dispensary staff (n = 84, 90%). Safety concerns were most influential in patient recommendations (n = 39, 39%), followed by specific conditions (n = 30, 30%) and patient preferences (n = 26, 30%). Ninety-three physicians (92%) reported they “often” or “always” perform a patient physical exam. Eighty-four (77%) physicians provided specific administration route recommendations. Half (n = 56) “often” or “always” provided specific recommendations for Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: cannabidiol ratios, while 69 (62%) “often” or “always” provided specific dose recommendations. Online learning/training modules were the most preferred future training mode, with 88 (84%) physicians “likely” or “very likely” to participate. The top 3 desired topics for future training were marijuana-drug interactions (n = 84, 72%), management of specific medical conditions or symptoms (n = 83, 72%), and strategies to reduce opioids or other drugs use (n = 78, 67%). Conclusions: This survey of over 100 medical marijuana physicians indicates that their clinical practices rely on a blend of research and anecdotal information sources. While physicians report clinical factors as influential during patient recommendation, patient assessment practices and treatment regimen recommendations vary substantially and rely on experimental approaches. More research is needed to inform evidence-based practice and training, especially considering details on drug interactions, risk-benefit of treatment for specific clinical conditions, and strategies to reduce opioid use.


2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Glueckauf ◽  
Marlene M. Maheu ◽  
Kenneth P. Drude ◽  
Brittny A. Wells ◽  
Yuxia Wang ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Zenoviy Siryk

Ukraine is a unitary state, yet historically various regions, oblasts, districts, and local areas have different levels of economic development. To secure sustainable economic and social development and provide social services guaranteed by the state for each citizen according to the Constitution, the mechanism of redistribution between revenues and expenditures of oblasts, regions, and territories through the budgets of a higher level is used. The paper aims to research the peculiarities of improving interbudgetary relations in conditions of authorities’ decentralization. The paper defines the nature of interbudgetary relations. The basic and reverse subsidies to Ukraine and Lvivska oblast are analyzed. The advantages and disadvantages the communities face at changing approaches to balancing local budgets are determined. Regulative documents that cover the interbudgetary relations in Ukraine are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the problem of local finances reforming, including the development of interbudgetary relations. The scheme of the economic interbudgetary relations system in Ukraine is developed. The ways to improve the system of interbudgetary relations in Ukraine are suggested. The negative and positive aspects, advantages, and disadvantages of the system of interbudgetary relations in Ukraine require the following improvements. 1. It is necessary to avoid the complete budget alignment in the process of budgets balancing by interbudgetary transfers as the major objective. 2. The interbudgetary transfers should be distributed based on a formal approach. 3. The changes have to be introduced to the calculation of medical and educational subsidies in terms of financial standard of budget provision to avoid the money deficit for coverage of necessary expenditures. 4. There is a need to improve interbudgetary relations at the levels of districts, villages, towns, and cities of district subordination. 5. Improvement of the mechanism of targeted benefits provision, their real evaluation, and control for the use of funds.


2020 ◽  
pp. 124-131
Author(s):  
Olena P. Slavkova ◽  
Oksana I Zhilinska ◽  
Maksym Palienko

The article deals with the peculiarities of the formation and implementation of tax policy in the country. The analysis of change of tax receipts to the state and local budgets is carried out. The role of tax payments in the economic development of the country is determined. The efficiency of the state tax policy in Ukraine is analyzed, its advantages and disadvantages are determined. The important role of tax payments in stimulating economic and social development is substantiated. The analysis of the elasticity of change of indicators of economic development of the country from the change of volume of tax receipts to the budget is carried out. The necessity of improving the existing policy of establishing, accrual, payment, and distribution of tax revenues as one of the most promising areas to stimulate economic growth is concluded. Keywords: tax policy, revenues, tax evasion, state budget, elasticity, economic development


2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren K. Richards ◽  
Eric Bui ◽  
Meredith Charney ◽  
Katherine Clair Hayes ◽  
Allison L. Baier ◽  
...  

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