Level of Knowledge about Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis in Physicians Attached to a Hospital in the State of Mexico

Abstract

Objective: to identify the level of knowledge about the therapeutic uses of cannabis among medical personnel attached to a hospital in the State of Mexico. Methods: cross-sectional study. An eleven-question instrument was developed to identify the level of knowledge about therapeutic uses of Cannabis sativa and indica. The instrument classified the knowledge as sufficient, moderately sufficient and not sufficient; 31 general practitioners and specialists participated; descriptive statistics were made for the analysis of the obtained results. Results: 71% of the participants were men (22) and 29% women (9); 25% had graduate studies (8) and 74% had studied a specialty (23). In evaluating the level of knowledge about therapeutic uses of cannabis, it was found that 71% of the physicians had a moderately sufficient level of knowledge (22), 16.1%, sufficient knowledge (5) and 12.9%, not sufficient (4). Conclusions: most of the interviewed physicians had a moderately sufficient level of knowledge. It is important to carry out more studies on therapeutic use of cannabis, make a critical analysis of the evidence on this topic and, improve training and updating on possible therapeutic alternatives in general practitioners and specialists.