Educating the naïve patient: From harm reduction to benefit maximization

Amanda Reiman MSW PhDDirector of Research

Berkeley Patients Group

Today’s talk

Demographic trends in the medical cannabis population: age and experience

Meeting the needs of this patient group Harm reduction AND Benefit

maximization: Education, implementation, evaluation

Next steps…

Trends in the patient population N=304 anonymous surveys collected at

BPG at intake (2010) 74% male, 57% White, Mean age is 32. 75% use cannabis for a pain related

condition. 86 patients reported more than one

condition. Almost 20% of new patients have used

cannabis for the first time in the past 6 months.› Significantly more likely to be Latino/a

or African American (p<.01).

Deviations from previous data

Almost 20% of new patients have used cannabis for the first time in the past 6 months.

Mean age is 32.› Previous data from BPG patients (N=350)

revealed a mean age of 39 (2008). Explanations… Focusing on the naïve patient…

Cannabis naïve patients… Come to cannabis for various reasons

› Lack of success with traditional treatment; catastrophic illness; beliefs about pharmaceuticals

Do not possess the language to express their needs› knowledge of the various preparations or methods

of ingestion, strains, etc. May not have a guide to lead them through the

process of selection and ingestion› Important in learning to reduce harm and maximize

benefits Might be intimidated and have pre-conceived,

propaganda based notions of cannabis

Harm reduction and Benefit maximization

Two sides of the same coin Harm reduction: reducing the chance of

a negative experience from using cannabis

Benefit maximization: increasing the chance of a positive experience from using cannabis

Harm Reduction Negative experiences from cannabis use

can occur› anxiety, upset stomach, rapid heart rate

(more common in naïve users)› Legal sanctions

The importance of set and setting› Dispensaries play an important role

Information about dependence and withdrawal should be presented honestly.

Navigating patient status among friends, family, employers, etc. (especially younger patients)

Benefit Maximization

Cost-effectiveness› Make each dollar count!

Symptom specific medicine› Efficacy and efficiency!

Method of ingestion› Salves….who knew?

Next steps… Cannabis 101 (EDUCATION)LanguageDemystificationLegal reviewHow to handle negative experiencesDependence and withdrawal

› Industry professionals should also receive education on answering “basic” questions

Guide to medicate with patient for the first time (IMPLEMENTATION)› Patient liaison on site

Workshops on assessing the effects of cannabis (EVALUATION)› Effects Method class

Questions?

Amanda@berkeleypatientsgroup.com