Perceived stigma of patients undergoing treatment with cannabis-based medicinal products
Author(s)
Troup, Lucy J
Erridge, Simon
Ciesluk, Beata
Sodergren, Mikael H
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are prescribed with increasing frequency. This study aimed to investigate the perceived stigma attached to patients prescribed CBMPs in the UK to establish its prevalence. A qualitative survey was developed by an expert multidisciplinary group and data were collected via Qualtrics. In total, 2319 patients on CBMP therapy were invited to take part in this study. 450 (19.4%) participants completed the questionnaire. In total, 81.3% (n = 366), 76.9% (n = 346), and 61.3% (n = 276) of participants reported feeling very comfortable or comfortable telling friends, family, and medical professionals, respectively, about their treatment. Participants thought that friends (n = 372; 82.7%) and family (n = 339; 75.3%) were very approving or somewhat approving of their CBMP prescription. However, participants thought that only 37.8% (n = 170) of healthcare professionals and 32.9% (n = 148) of society in general were very approving or somewhat approving of their CBMP prescription. 57.1% (n = 257), 55.3% (n = 249), and 40.2% (n = 181) of participants were afraid of what the police or criminal justice system, other government agencies, and healthcare professionals might think about their treatment. This study highlights those patients treated with CBMPs experience a high prevalence of perceived stigma from many corners of society. Future work should be undertaken to explore strategies to reduce perceived stigma at an individual and community level to avoid discrimination of patients, likely increasing appropriate access.
Date Issued
2022-06-19
Date Acceptance
2022-06-17
Citation
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022, 19 (12), pp.1-7
ISSN
1660-4601
Publisher
MDPI AG
Start Page
1
End Page
7
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
19
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
© 2022 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
License URL
Sponsor
CURALEAF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
CURALEAF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000816203300001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
WSSS_P78476
WSGG_P82054
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Environmental Sciences
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Environmental Sciences & Ecology
cannabis
medical cannabis
cannabinoids
social stigma
health services accessibility
MEDICAL CANNABIS
MENTAL-ILLNESS
CONSEQUENCES
PAIN
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 7499
Date Publish Online
2022-06-19