Exploring Clinicians' Determinants of Participation in Medical Cannabis Decision Making with Older Adults Experiencing Arthritis: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

Abstract

Background. Arthritis is a common chronic condition among older adults in Canada. Shared decision making (SDM) regarding medical cannabis (MC) use has been anticipated to result in improved health outcomes. However, the practice of SDM for MC remains limited. Few studies addressed what clinicians need to decide with their patients about MC. We explored clinicians' perspectives on what determines their decisional needs to participate in MC SDM with older adults experiencing arthritis. Methods. In-depth, semi-structured interviews using purposive sampling were conducted online. An interview guide based on the Ottawa Decision Support Framework (ODSF) was used. Recordings were transcribed verbatim, and the data were analyzed deductively and inductively using reflexive thematic analysis. Results. Semi-structured interviews with 12 participants (33% pharmacists, 25% family physicians, 25% rheumatologists, and 17% registered nurses) were conducted. Three main themes were constructed to summarize determinants of clinicians' needs to be able to participate in MC-related SDM: 1) perception of the decision, 2) perception of others, and 3) decisional conflict. Conclusion. While gaps in evidence remain a critical concern affecting inadequate knowledge and contributing to decision-making needs, findings suggest that a tailored decision support intervention (DSI) would strengthen clinicians' self-efficacy, clarify role expectations, and attend to the interpersonal dynamics that shape MC SDM. To enhance usability, a DSI should be developed to address clinicians' decisional needs while remaining responsive to workflow constraints.

Highlights: Using the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, this study explored clinicians' decisional needs regarding shared decision making about medical cannabis (MC) use for arthritis.Findings highlight gaps that hinder clinicians from engaging in open discussions, leaving many older adults to make MC decisions without professional guidance.Addressing clinicians' decisional needs is essential for developing decision support interventions and policies that ensure safe, informed care.