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Strube C, Comazzi RD, Löwinger D, Auer R, Moggi F, Pfeifer P. Attitudes of Swiss psychiatrists towards cannabis regulation and medical use in psychiatry: a cross-sectional study. J Cannabis Res 2023; 5:40. [PMID: 38057933 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-023-00210-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changes in regulation for cannabis for nonmedical use (CNMU) are underway worldwide. Switzerland amended the law in 2021 allowing pilot trials evaluating regulative models for cannabis production and distribution. Simultaneously, cannabis for medical use (CMU) in psychiatry is a growing issue, asked for by patients and being discussed by medical professionals. METHODS From December 2021 to February 2022, we conducted an online survey of psychiatrists in Switzerland. The survey comprised questions on attitudes towards regulative models for CNMU and towards prescribing CMU for mental disorders. RESULTS We contacted 2010 psychiatrists in Switzerland. A total of 274 (14%) participated in the survey. Sixty-four percent agreed to a regulated legalization of CNMU, and 89% would welcome pilot trials in Switzerland assessing models for regulating CNMU with those from a French-speaking region being more skeptical. Forty-nine percent of psychiatrists agree that CMU might have a therapeutic effect in mental disorders, but 50% agree that there is not enough scientific evidence yet. Participants working in an inpatient setting or in a French-speaking region as well as those with a longer duration of practice were more skeptical on CMU for mental health. CONCLUSIONS Most surveyed Swiss psychiatrists favor the regulation of CNMU and the conduct of pilot trials. Despite little evidence and potential negative consequences, many participating Swiss psychiatrists agreed that cannabis could be efficacious in the treatment of some mental disorders advocating for more research in this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin Strube
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Renato Davide Comazzi
- Institute of Primary Health Care Bern (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Löwinger
- Institute of Primary Health Care Bern (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Reto Auer
- Institute of Primary Health Care Bern (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health, Unisanté, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Franz Moggi
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Pfeifer
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Mulder F, Löwinger D, Jenkinson SP, Kaiser E, Scharf T, Maire M, Duss S, Bassetti C, Heinzer R, Auer R, Meyer-Massetti C. Counselling for Chronic Insomnia in Swiss Pharmacies: A Survey Study Based on Case Vignettes. Pharmacy (Basel) 2023; 11:105. [PMID: 37368431 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11030105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Introduction: Chronic insomnia (CI) reduces quality of life and may trigger depression and cardiovascular diseases. The European Sleep Research Society recommends cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-I) as the first-line treatment. Because a recent study in Switzerland demonstrated that this recommendation was inconsistently followed by primary care physicians, we hypothesised that pharmacists also deviate from these guidelines. The aim of this study is to describe current treatment practices for CI recommended by pharmacists in Switzerland, compare them to guidelines and examine their attitudes towards CBT-I. (2) Methods: A structured survey was sent to all the members of the Swiss Pharmacists Association, containing three clinical vignettes describing typical CI pharmacy clients. Treatments had to be prioritised. The prevalence of CI, and the pharmacists' knowledge and interest in CBT-I were assessed. (3) Results: Of 1523 pharmacies, 123 pharmacists (8%) completed the survey. Despite large variations, valerian (96%), relaxation therapy (94%) and other phytotherapies (85%) were most recommended. Although most pharmacists did not know about CBT-I (72%) and only 10% had recommended it, most were very interested (64%) in education. Missing financial compensation hampers the recommendation of CBT-I. (4) Conclusions: Contrary to existing European guidelines, community pharmacists in Switzerland mostly recommended valerian, relaxation therapy and other phytotherapies for treating CI. This might be connected to the client's expectation of pharmacy services, e.g., medication dispensing. While pharmacists recommend sleep hygiene regularly, most did not know of CBT-I as an overarching concept but were willing to learn. Future studies should test the effects of dedicated training about CI and changes in the financial compensation for counselling for CI in pharmacies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Mulder
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School of Health sciences GHS, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Löwinger
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephen P Jenkinson
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Estelle Kaiser
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Scharf
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School of Health sciences GHS, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Micheline Maire
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital of Zug, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
| | - Simone Duss
- Interdisciplinary Sleep-Wake-Epilepsy-Center and Swiss Sleep House Bern, Inselspital-University Hospital of Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Bassetti
- Interdisciplinary Sleep-Wake-Epilepsy-Center and Swiss Sleep House Bern, Inselspital-University Hospital of Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Raphaël Heinzer
- Service for Pneumology and Sleep Research Center (CIRS), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Reto Auer
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carla Meyer-Massetti
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital-University Hospital of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
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