Knowledge and Attitudes of Resident Physicians About Medical Cannabis Use

Abstract Backround: The aim of our study was to investigate the level of knowledge about the medical uses of cannabis and the attitudes of resident physicians working in a tertiary hospital in Istanbul, Türkiye. Methods: Our study was conducted as a descriptive questionnaire between 01.01.2023 and 01.04.2023 among the resident physicians at the University of Health Sciences Umraniye Training and Research Hospital. The participants were applied a questionnaire form on their socio-demographic, socioeconomic characteristics, and details about the medical use of cannabis. Results: A total of 107 physicians, 43 (40.2%) males and 64 (59.8%) females, participated in the study. It was found that 25.2% of the physicians had the opinion that cannabis had medical benefits and they were most frequently aware of its use in cancer (66.4%), muscle spasms (49.5%), and nausea and vomiting (31.8%). When the domain averages of the questionnaire were considered, it was observed that 34.9% supported the legalisation of the medical use of cannabis, 36.5% found the medical use of cannabis beneficial and safe, 46.7% found the medical use of cannabis harmful, 52.9% thought that the medical use of cannabis should be investigated scientifically and should be included in the medical education curriculum, and 39% stated that they supported the production of cannabis. Conclusion: A minority of the participants supported the legalisation of the medical use of cannabis and found it useful and safe, while a significant number were undecided. However, the majority of the participants support education and scientific research on the use of medical cannabis.