Ask Your Provider About Cannabis: Increasing Nurse Practitioner Knowledge and Confidence

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pharmacology
• Cannabis Science

Background:

• Nurse practitioners (NPs) are increasingly authorized to recommend medical cannabis.
• There is a need to enhance NP knowledge and confidence in discussing cannabis with patients.
• Continuing education (CE) can address knowledge gaps regarding cannabis therapeutics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a 2-hour CE module on NP knowledge, confidence, and communication willingness regarding medical cannabis.
• To assess changes in NP practice behavior related to cannabis recommendations and patient counseling.

Main Methods:

• A nationally distributed 2-hour CE module on medical cannabis was delivered.
• Pre- and post-test data (n=289) assessed knowledge across various cannabis-related topics.
• A follow-up survey (n=184) evaluated practice behavior changes and willingness to counsel patients.

Main Results:

• Significant knowledge improvement (mean 39.3%) was observed across all topics post-module.
• Greatest gains were noted in metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and drug-drug interactions.
• Post-CE, 92% of NPs were likely to inquire about patient cannabis use and 84% to counsel them.

Conclusions:

• The CE module effectively enhanced NP knowledge regarding medical cannabis.
• The training increased NPs' willingness to discuss and counsel patients on cannabis.
• This improved knowledge base has the potential to influence patient care and prescribing.