Knowledge and Attitudes of Cannabidiol in Croatia among Students, Physicians, and Pharmacists
Ana Batinic,
Ana Curkovic,
Josipa Bukic,
Irena Žuntar,
Sendi Kuret,
Bianka Mimica,
Nina Kalajzic,
Goran Dujic,
Ljubica Glavaš-Obrovac,
Ana Soldo,
Andrijana Včeva,
Zeljko Dujic,
Davorka Sutlovic
Affiliations
Ana Batinic
Pharmacy of Split-Dalmatia County, 21000 Split, Croatia
Ana Curkovic
Department of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Josipa Bukic
Department of Pharmacy, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
Irena Žuntar
Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Sendi Kuret
Department of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Bianka Mimica
School of Medicine, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
Nina Kalajzic
Department of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Goran Dujic
Clinical Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Ljubica Glavaš-Obrovac
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Ana Soldo
Croatian Chamber for Pharmacists, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Andrijana Včeva
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Zeljko Dujic
Department of Integrative Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Davorka Sutlovic
Department of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Due to cannabidiol’s health benefits and absence of serious side effects, its use is constantly growing. This is a survey-based cross-sectional study that was conducted to determine Croatian pharmacists’, physicians’, and students’ knowledge and attitudes about cannabidiol (CBD). Two questionnaires were created, one for students and the other for physicians and pharmacists. Our participants (in total 874: 473 students and 401 physicians and pharmacists) generally had positive attitudes towards CBD therapy as approximately 60% of them believe that CBD treatment is generally efficacious. Participants had positive attitudes toward the therapeutic value of CBD, especially pharmacists and pharmacy students (63.8% and 72.2%, respectively). Pharmacists were significantly more convinced that CBD could reduce the use of opioids prescribed for chronic pain (p p < 0.05). This study revealed a gap in knowledge regarding CBD, since 89.3% of pharmacists and physicians, as well as 84.8% of students, believe they need more education about CBD. We conclude that it is important to improve the educational curricula so that medical professionals can recommend CBD use to their patients when needed.
