BACKGROUND

Medical cannabis consumption is rising, but limited evidence informs the safety and efficacy of cannabis use in cancer patients. A national survey of oncology trainees found that most fellows felt insufficiently informed to make clinical recommendations about cannabis.

AIM

In this secondary analysis, we aimed to measure how frequently trainees recommend in favor of cannabis and determine factors influencing this clinical practice.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional survey study for fellows enrolled in oncology training programs across the United States, an online survey assessing trainee practices regarding medical cannabis was sent to 155 oncology fellowship program directors from January - March 2021; who were asked to distribute it to their fellows. The primary outcome was the frequency with which oncology fellows recommended cannabis in the prior year.

RESULTS

Nationally, 40 programs from 25 states participated, with 189 of 462 trainees across these programs responding (40.9% response rate). 22% (95% CI: 16.3-29.0%) of participants reported recommending medical cannabis to > 5 patients in the past year. 24% (95% CI: 18.4-30.5%) of participants had prior training in medical cannabis. Regarding participant characteristics, only prior training in medical cannabis was significantly associated with recommending cannabis to > 5 patients (RR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4-4.2).

CONCLUSIONS

With increasing cannabis use among patients with cancer and given that a substantial number of oncology fellows recommend its use, it is crucial that fellowship training incorporate evidence-based curricula regarding medical cannabis use to guide informed decision-making between patients and their fellow providers.