Medical Cannabis Against Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: a Mixed Methods Study.

Despite many pharmaceutical options, there are no optimal treatments for Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP). Although many Canadians use medical cannabis (MC; legally authorized) to relieve their pain, there are no firm conclusions on the efficacy and safety of MC against CMP. In order to increase knowledge on this topic, it is essential to describe the current use of MC against CMP by Canadians and to understand patients' and physicians' perceptions and attitudes. Objectives: This study will evaluate the use of MC against CMP among adults and aims at: 1-Describing the use of MC in Canada, and the main characteristics of users and prescribers; 2-Identifying the therapeutic and adverse effects of MC from the users' perspective; 3a- Identifying the psychosocial, organizational, socio-demographic and health-related factors that influence the use and prescription of MC; and 3b- Quantifying the impacts of these factors on the use and prescription of MC in the management of CMP. Methods: 1) We will analyse available data on the users and prescribers of MC from Health Canada and from the Registre Cannabis Québec; 2) We will use mixed methods to collect data from patients affected by CMP and their physicians. Data from Health Canada will allow to document the prevalence and recent evolution of MC use. The qualitative phase of the second part of the study will identify obstacles and facilitators for the use AND for the prescribing of MC against CMP, including the need for more information in patients suffering from CMP and in physicians. Reasoned samples of patients and physicians will be recruited; information will then be collected by semi-structured interviews. For the quantitative phase, a pan-Canadian survey will be conducted, using a questionnaire built with the results of the qualitative phase of the study. The proposed study will describe the current use of MC against CMP in Canada and will allow to better understand the motivations and expectations of physicians and patients.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria patients (N=30):

* 18 years old or older
* Able to consent
* Understand and speak French to be autonomous during the interview
* Have chronic musculoskeletal pain (at least for the last 3 months)
* OPTIONAL: have used medical cannabis against chronic musculoskeletal pain (for 10/30 recruited patients)

Inclusion Criteria physicians (N=15):

* Hold a right to practice medicine in Canada
* Practice medicine at the time of the research project
* Understand and speak French to be autonomous during the interview
* Follow patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain
* OPTIONAL: Prescribe or have prescribed medical cannabis for chronic musculoskeletal pain (only for 5/15 recruited family physicians)

Exclusion Criteria:

There is no specific exclusion criteria. Participants who do not meet the inclusion criteria will be excluded from the study.