At least 36 states and the District of Columbia have approved marijuana/cannabis for medical use. However, there are critical gaps in clinician knowledge in guiding patients to safely use medical cannabis for cancer pain and symptoms. This results in poor symptom control as well as short term and long term safety and health risks. The purpose of this feasibility study is to rapidly develop and refine a patient-centered mobile app, MedCanna, with standardized medical cannabis education for cancer pain and symptoms in outpatients with cancer who are on high risk opioids (i.e., those receiving opioid dose 50 morphine milligram equivalent /day, and concomitant opioids with benzodiazepines or other hypnotics).
This is a two phase study starting with a focus group of patients to get feedback on the design and content of the app. Phase 2 is a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test whether people who receive the app self-report improved Patient Reported Outcomes such as pain, sleep, psychological distress and quality of life.
This study is being conducted in Philadelphia in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University.