Page 17 - Delaware Medical Journal-October
P. 17
SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE
goal of this survey was to better understand Delaware physicians’ knowledge about the medical marijuana policy as well as gauge what resources would be helpful for physicians to ensure they are informed in their patient interactions.
METHODOLOGY & DATA ANALYSIS
In November 2014, a hard copy and a link to an electronic survey were provided to members of the Medical Society of Delaware through their journal, The Delaware Medical Journal. The surveys, online survey software. Additionally, participants also had the option to mail in a paper copy of the survey. Of the 87 respondents, only 2 used the hard copy version. In addition to traditional demographic questions, the majority of questions were Likert
scale with a few open-ended follow-up questions that focused on knowledge of medical marijuana and likelihood to authorize.
It should be noted that the Medical Society of Delaware does not represent all physicians licensed in Delaware; instead, physicians pay dues to become a member. Even so, the Medical Society of Delaware has a large membership with representation across many specialties making it a strong channel to facilitate survey dissemination.
Sample
There was representation from a wide array of primary
specialties: internal medicine, OBGYN, family practice, surgery, pediatrics, hospice and palliative care, ophthalmology, family practice, neurology, etc. According to the conditions outlined in the Medical Marijuana Act for Delaware, 25.6% of respondents were in specialties that were likely to encounter patients with
the conditions outlined in the Act (e.g., Hematology/Oncology, with the medical conditions outlined. The geographic area of the of physicians were at least 56 years old (59%). Likewise, the number of years in practice was quite high, with 22% stating that they had been in practice for 11 to 20, 29% 21 to 30 years and 31% in practice for 31 to 40.
Physicians receive information from a variety of sources, and 15% of the sample included DHSS as one of those sources. More
DEMOGRAPHICS
Online and hard copy accessed by physicians through the November Issue of the Delaware Medical Journal.
78% MALE
75%
PRACTICE IN NEW CASTLE COUNTY, WHERE THE COMPASSION CENTER IS LOCATED.
59% 68%
WERE AT LEAST 56 YEARS OLD
HAD AT LEAST 21 YEARS IN PRACTICE
69%BELONG TO SPECIALTIES
THAT ARE LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER PATIENTS THAT HAVE THE CONDITIONS OUTLINED IN THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT.
Del Med J | October 2015 | Vol. 87 | No. 10
305
87
RESPONDENTS
