Date of Submission

2021

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illicit substances in the U.S. and its rapid implementation as a form of treatment has sparked significant national attention and debate among clinicians. In the United States, medical marijuana (MM) may be recommended as a form of treatment by certified physicians. The purpose of this study was to examine licensed physicians’ support for recommending MM for various health conditions, their perceived knowledge regarding its efficacy as treatment, and their attitudes toward MM. This study employed a correlational design utilizing a self-administered, online survey (PCOM REDCap) to collect quantitative information from licensed and actively practicing physicians in the U.S. (N=24). The survey link generated by REDCap was posted to the private PCOM group page and permission was obtained to post on other physician-focused Facebook pages and listservs. The study also recruited physician-level using ResearchMatch.org. Two 5-point Likert-type scales had been developed to measure the degree to which participants would support recommending MM to treat numerous health conditions and to identify the perceived strength of empirical support for its treatment of each condition. Participants completed a 1 item 5-point Likert-type Provider Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Cannabis scale. It was hypothesized that physicians’ support for recommending MM would be significantly and positively correlated with their perceptions of the strength of its empirical evidence and that physicians’ support for recommending MM would be significantly and positively correlated with their attitudes towards MM. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample and examine specific attitudes and perceptions regarding its use. Findings from this study may offer additional insight on physicians’ varying attitudes and support for MM.

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