PICOT Statement
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WEEK3CAPSTONEASSIGNMENT.docx3
MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE IN CANCER PATIENT
The implementation of medical marijuana and non-medical marijuana in cancer patient for the alleviation of pain within one year of beginning treatment.
Samantha Howard
Grand Canyon University: NRS-490 (NRS-490-O503)
Running head: ASSIGNMENT TITLE HERE
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Running head: MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE IN CANCER PATIENT
February 2, 2019
PICOT: The implementation of medical marijuana and non-medical marijuana in cancer patient for the alleviation of pain within one year of beginning treatment.
In the United States today, the use of medical marijuana for treatment has increase among several states with an increase interest in outpatient palliative care to integrate medical cannabis into their symptom management (Spencer, N, Shaw, E, Slaven, M. 2016) Evidence-based research studies are conducted to prove the correlation between marijuana and cancer pain and several studies are proven effective.
Clinical problem and Evidence-based solution
The use of medical marijuana is a much debatable topic for decade, and in since recent years interest has grown significantly (Kramer, J. L. 2015). As of November 2018, 31 stated are now participating in prescribing yet, it is still considered a schedule I substance. Studies on medical marijuana focuses on treatment for the alleviation of pain due cancer among other symptoms (Kramer, J. L. 2015). This is because it has lower side effects than non-medical marijuana users. Also, screening for psychiatric and substance use disorders is warranted with the authorization of medical marijuana (Wall M. M, Liu. J, Hasin. D, S, Blanco C, Olfson. M, 2019).
Nursing Intervention, Population and Patient Care
As nurses we have a moral duty to advocate for patient autonomy and preferred choices. Education and support are needed to provide the best care for patient without bias regarding cannabis use. Nursing intervention should be geared towards educating patient who meets the criteria for use of medical marijuana, by reviewing the benefits, risks, safety concerns, side effects and potential hazards with specialist It is also important for nurses to be current with the new evidence base practice that are being conducted on the efficacy of medication marijuana when dealing with patient who are terminally ill due to cancer and suffer from pain (Green, A. J., & De‐Vries, K. 2010).
Health Care Agency
Long-term care agencies that provide care to patient in their home or hospice, deal with patients who suffer from cancer and complained of pain daily. Currently the use of medical marijuana has been legalized in the state of New York and participating specialist have been prescribing to cancer patient for the alleviation of pain, allowing them to live a pain free life as much as possible (Lucas, P., Baron, E. P., & Jikomes, N. 2019)
Nursing Practice
Cannabis nursing specialty has increased tremendously and require a clear understanding in the area in which it is being used. On July 14, 2017 the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) released version 1.0 of the standards of Practice and the scope for cannabis nurses. Nurses must be conscious that cannabis and most cannabinoids are federally illegal and recognize their state’s outline for the scope of nursing practice along with their facility policies. (cannabisnurses, 2017).
Marijuana Vs Non-Marijuana use such as Opioids Comparison
Dealing with cancer pain can be difficult for the patient, their family and even the healthcare providers. Non-marijuana methods such as opioids can be devastating as it can lead to addiction and overdose. There is an increase in death in patient using non-marijuana methods such as seen with the use of prescription opioids. Due to this several states have implemented polices to help to reduce the number of overdoses by using alternate therapies for pain management, such as medical marijuana (Vyas, M. B., LeBaron, V. T., & Gilson, A. M. 2018).
Several evidence base researches conducted over a course of five years provided substantial information on the use of medical marijuana in cancer patient for the alleviation of pain has proven to be effective and safer when compared to non-marijuana treatment such as opioid that can lead to addiction and overdose (Vyas, M. B., LeBaron, V. T., & Gilson, A. M. 2018
References
Kramer, J. L. (2015). Medical marijuana for cancer. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 65(2), 109-122
Vyas, M. B., LeBaron, V. T., & Gilson, A. M. (2018). The use of cannabis in response to the opioid crisis: A review of the literature. Nursing Outlook, 66(1), 56-65.
Lucas, P., Baron, E. P., & Jikomes, N. (2019). Medical cannabis patterns of use and substitution for opioids & other pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances; results from a cross-sectional survey of authorized patients. Harm Reduction Journal, 16(1), 9.
Green, A. J., & De-Vries, K. (2010). Cannabis use in palliative care–an examination of the evidence and the implications for nurses. Journal of clinical nursing, 19(17‐18), 2454-2462.
Spencer, Noah, Shaw, E, Slaven, Marissa. (2016). Medical cannabis uses in an outpatient palliative care clinic: A retrospective chart review. Nursing & Allied Health Database, Vol. 9, Iss. 4, (2016): 507-513.
American Cannabis Nurses Association, 2017. Scope & Standards of Practice for Cannabis Nurses. Retrieved from https://cannabisnurses.org/Scope-of-Practice-for-Cannabis-Nurses
Wall M. M, Liu. J, Hasin. D, S, Blanco C, Olfson. M, 2019.
