Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Apr 17, 2022
Open Peer Review Period: Apr 17, 2022 - Jun 12, 2022
Date Accepted: Jan 17, 2023
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Patient experiences with prescription cannabinoids in Germany: protocol for a representative and anonymous online-survey based on mixed-methods
ABSTRACT
Background:
Medical cannabinoids are controversial in Germany and worldwide. Their use is still comparatively rare but rising rapidly. Little is known about their therapeutic advantages and disadvantages at the individual patient level. In addition, few representative data is available.
Objective:
The study is intended as a representative explorative data collection. Main goal is to provide a detailed picture of the current use of medical cannabinoids in Germany. It is intended to identify subgroups that may benefit particularly well or poorly. To ensure a relevant selection of parameters in this survey, we conducted qualitative interviews in advance. Their main objective was to improve scientific understanding of the individual experience of receiving medical cannabinoids.
Methods:
We are conducting a mixed-methods, representative, anonymous, cross-sectional online-survey in three German federal states. Survey composition involves qualitative interviews to identify relevant variables. Based on these, variable-specific, existing validated questionnaires were selected. Representative samples are being obtained using cluster-sampling via the panel physicians of the statutory health insurance companies.
Results:
The survey is currently active with participant recruitment. As of April 15, 2022, 192 patients were enrolled. Recruitment started in March 2021 and finishes by mid 2022. Qualitative interviews are completed and were held from September 2020 until March 2021.
Conclusions:
The design is representative for approx. 80.3 % of total cannabinoid prescriptions in Germany. It may provide less bias of social desirability and more in-depth information than existing studies. Clinical Trial: Registration: German Clinical Trials Register - DRKS00023344 Recruitment Status: Recruiting First Posted: October 13, 2020 Last Update Posted: February 8, 2022 Protocol version: January 20, 2022 Version 1.1
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