Temple Leslie Mendoza, Lampert Sara L, Ewigman Bernard
1 Integrative Medicine Program, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Glenview, IL.
2 Department of Family Medicine, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
J Altern Complement Med. 2019 Jan;25(1):5-7. doi: 10.1089/acm.2018.0250. Epub 2018 Sep 6.
This commentary describes the clinician experience of certifying patients for medical cannabis (MC) in a north suburban Chicago integrative family medicine practice. The physician and research assistant performed a comprehensive chart review of the first 166 MC patients certified in the practice. Based on this review, barriers and opportunities were elucidated to improve delivery of MC therapy in Illinois within the existing framework of regulation, licensing, certification, and distribution. The following factors have posed challenges for the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. These factors are interrelated and include: (1) inadequate scientific knowledge regarding effectiveness, dosage, delivery mechanism, indications, and drug interactions in humans; (2) lack of educational standards for dispensary and medical staff training; (3) lack of communication and coordination of patient care; (4) complexity and inconsistent availability of dosing options; and (5) barriers to access for patients seeking this therapy.
本评论描述了在芝加哥北郊一家综合家庭医疗诊所为患者开具医用大麻（MC）证明的临床医生经历。医生和研究助理对该诊所首批166名获得MC证明的患者进行了全面的病历审查。基于此次审查，在伊利诺伊州现有的监管、许可、认证和分发框架内，阐明了改善MC疗法提供的障碍和机遇。以下因素给伊利诺伊医用大麻试点项目带来了挑战。这些因素相互关联，包括：（1）关于人类有效性、剂量、给药机制、适应症和药物相互作用的科学知识不足；（2）药房和医务人员培训缺乏教育标准；（3）患者护理缺乏沟通与协调；（4）给药选择的复杂性和供应不一致；（5）寻求这种疗法的患者面临的获取障碍。
