Using Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain: A Social-Ecological Framework.

Early studies suggest medical cannabis (MC) has the potential to benefit people who suffer from chronic pain by offering a less addictive alternative to opioids; however, most investigators agree more research is indicated. Today, in 2023, cannabis remains a Schedule I drug and is an illegal substance in the United States under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Despite this designation, as of February 2022, 37 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia allowed using cannabis products to treat certain painful medical conditions.

Pain Management During West Virginia's Opioid Crisis.

Purpose: Opioid use disorder has caused significant morbidity and mortality resulting in opioid prescribing limiting laws, such as State Bill 273 in West Virginia. The purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of a restrictive opioid prescription law on physicians in medical practice in West Virginia.

Methods: A qualitative study with open-ended semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of physicians in West Virginia.

"The DEA would come in and destroy you": a qualitative study of fear and unintended consequences among opioid prescribers in WV.

Background: West Virginia has one of the highest rates of opioid overdose related deaths and is known as the epicenter of the opioid crisis in the United States. In an effort to reduce opioid-related harms, SB 273 was signed in 2018, and aimed to restrict opioid prescribing in West Virginia. SB 273 was enacted during a time when physician arrests and convictions had been increasing for years and were becoming more prevalent and more publicized.

Care to the end: a retrospective observational study of aged care facility residents transferred to hospital in the last day of life.

Background: While transfer of aged care facility (ACF) residents to an acute hospital is sometimes necessary, for those at end of life this can cause fragmented care and disruption.

Aim: To explore the characteristics of ACF residents transferred to hospital in the last 24 h of life and factors that might influence this decision, including access to medical review, advance care planning (ACP) and pre-emptive symptom management prescribing, an area not previously researched.

Methods: A retrospective observational audit of ACF residents transferred to a metropolitan hospital between 2012 and 2017 who died within 24 h of transfer.