Abstracts

Rationale: Despite the availability of cannabis-based compounds marketed for medical purposes, there are few well-designed and adequately powered clinical trials to provide evidence of efficacy or safety. The field of epilepsy is in a unique position to be involved in clinical studies of pharmaceutical preparations of cannabinoid-based compounds, such as cannabidiol. Given the high-profile nature of cannabinoid therapeutics in epilepsy and the limited scientific literature on the topic, we queried clinicians who participated in a CME-certified educational activity on their understanding of cannabinoid therapeutics. Methods: An online CME activity was developed as a 5000-word text-based, clinical review written by two faculty experts on the neurobiology of cannabinoids. Learners who participated in the activity were exposed to interactivity questions that were embedded in the activity. Responses to interactivity questions were used to assess confidence and knowledge regarding the use of cannabinoids for the management of epilepsy. Responses were de-identified and collected from October 31, 2017 through May 10, 2018.  Results: Responses to the interactivity questions were obtained from the neurologists (N=389), primary care physicians (N=500), and pediatricians (N=401) who participated in the activity. Overall, approximately 12% of clinicians considered themselves “very knowledgeable” with medical marijuana prescribing laws in their state. In addition, approximately 7% of clinicians reported being “very confident” in their ability to differentiate the anti-seizure capability of cannabidiol from tetrahydrocannabinol. Similarly when asked about their knowledge of clinical trials of pharmaceutical preparations of cannabidiol in epilepsy, less than 5% of all clinicians considered themselves “very knowledgeable”. Lastly, approximately 6% of all respondents considered themselves “very confident” in their ability to discuss the appropriateness of medical marijuana for their patients with epilepsy. Conclusions: The data analyzed in this study indicate that most clinicians have limited knowledge of or confidence in speaking with patients regarding the clinical use of cannabinoid-based therapeutics for epilepsy. The data provides evidence of the need for future education on cannabinoid-based therapies for epilepsy.  Funding: The education was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Greenwich Biosciences, Inc.