title: Screening and managing cannabis use: comparing GP's and nurses' knowledge, beliefs, and behavior.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  General practitioners (GPs) and nurses are ideally placed to address the significant unmet demand for the treatment of cannabis-related problems given the numbers of people who regularly seek their care. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences between GPs and nurses' perceived knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors toward cannabis use and its screening and management.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study involved 161 nurses and 503 GPs who completed a survey distributed via conference satchels to delegates of Healthed seminars focused on topics relevant to women and children's health. Differences between GPs and nurses were analyzed using χ(2)- tests and two-sample t-tests, while logistic regression examined predictors of service provision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GPs were more likely than nurses to have engaged in cannabis-related service provision, but also more frequently reported barriers related to time, interest, and having more important issues to address. Nurses reported less knowledge, skills, and role legitimacy. Perceived screening skills predicted screening and referral to alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, while knowing a regular user increased the likelihood of referrals only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Approaches to increase cannabis-related screening and intervention may be improved by involving nurses, and by leveraging the relationship between nurses and doctors, in primary care.
authors: National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, UNSW, PO Box 684, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia. mnorberg@unsw.edu.au
authors: Melissa M
authors: MM
authors: Norberg
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Gates
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Dillon
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Kavanagh
authors: Ramesh
authors: R
authors: Manocha
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Copeland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*