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than half of the respondents (56%) received information from lectures and seminars, such as the seminars sponsored by
the Medical Society of Delaware. Expectantly, seventy-two percent also received information from medical literature, which highlights the importance of more research and scholarly discussion on this topic.
Analyses
Because of the small sample size and short length of the
survey simple analyses were run, such as frequencies and cross tabulations, on the close ended questions. Additionally, bivariate correlations were conducted to assess relationship between likelihood to authorize and level of comfort on authorizing, and knowledge about the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act. Open ended question were reviewed by the three person research team
RESULTS
Responses from the 87 completed surveys indicate that there was a wide range of knowledge and comfort regarding medical marijuana’s use as a treatment and Delaware’s Medical Marijuana Act. When asked to rate their knowledge of medical marijuana’s use as a treatment, 8.8% reported having “little or no knowledge,” 16.3% reported “minimal knowledge,” 36.3% felt “somewhat knowledgeable,” 35% felt “knowledgeable,” and 3.8% reported feeling “very knowledgeable.” Respondents in general reported less knowledge of the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act: 9.9% reported “little or no knowledge” and 23.5% reported “minimal knowledge.” In contrast, 38.3% reported feeling “somewhat knowledgeable” about the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act while only 21% and 7.4% reported feeling “knowledgeable” or “very knowledgeable” respectively. Half (50%) of respondents reported that they were unlikely or very unlikely to authorize medical marijuana: 33.8%
said they were very unlikely to authorize and 16.2% said they were unlikely to authorize medical marijuana use for eligible patients. Among respondents, 50% reported they would possibly authorize, 16.2% would likely authorize,
and 17.3% report they were highly likely to authorize medical marijuana.
Unsurprisingly, the relationship between the physician’s
level of knowledge about medical marijuana and their level
of comfortability authorizing its use with was statistically Marijuana Act and ones comfortability with authorizing its
knowledgeable about medical marijuana in general and the DE law in particular, the more comfortable physicians are with authorizing its use.
The most frequently cited sources used to inform themselves
of medical marijuana treatment and policy information include medical literature (72.4%), lectures and seminars (52.9%),
and news media (43.5%). Respondents who reported feeling knowledgeable about medical marijuana treatment frequently cited medical literature and seminars and lectures as important sources of information. Lectures and seminars were also associated with higher levels of knowledge of the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act. In contrast, news media was cited more commonly among respondents who were unlikely to or will possibly authorize medical marijuana for treatment.
See Table 1 & 2 for more details.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The results from this survey were very interesting and provide much insight to physicians’ attitudes toward medical marijuana and level of comfort toward authorizing its use. Based on these findings, there are a number of activities
that can be implemented to increase knowledge of medical marijuana in Delaware.
1 First, the topic of medical marijuana as a treatment option Medical Marijuana Act as well as protocols for patients and physicians should be presented to physicians in Delaware sponsored by the Medical Society of Delaware. Over half of
the respondents received information from medical lectures and seminars so this would be a great way to educate this population so more physicians are knowledgeable about the Delaware law and using medical marijuana as a treatment option. The Medical Society of Delaware has conducted at least one similar presentation in the past and, at least anecdotally, it was well received. Additional presentations and lectures on this
2 Second, it is recommended that the State publish informational 1-pagers or pamphlets that provide the gaps information about the Delaware Law such as the ailments that are included in the law, the difference between prescribing and authorizing use, steps that the Physician would take to authorize, and steps that the patient would to take to obtain. Additionally,
a 1-pager should also be created that provides a literature review of what is known about best practices around medical marijuana, although not much is known as of yet.
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Del Med J | October 2015 | Vol. 87 | No. 10
