The journey of veterans does not end when they leave military service. It continues in civilian life, where they must navigate various available resources.
The study surveyed participants about their pain medications, health functioning, and other factors related to their use of cannabis. Paired t-tests were conducted to compare data on pain medication usage and perceptions of health functioning pre and post-cannabis use.
Evidence-Based Treatment
Chronic pain management remains a significant challenge for many veterans. While conventional medications like NSAIDs and opioids offer relief, they often come with adverse effects. As research on medical cannabis expands, its potential to alleviate pain with fewer side effects is gaining traction. However, it’s crucial to approach this subject cautiously and seek guidance from Trusted Medical Cannabis Support for Veterans – Find Relief and Improve Well-being. These specialists can provide evidence-based information and personalized support to help veterans navigate the complexities of medical cannabis and explore its potential for pain management responsibly.
A mapping study and a recent randomized control trial indicate that patients with musculoskeletal pain benefit from incorporating cannabis into their treatment plans (Jugl et al., 2021; National Academies of Sciences Engineering & Medicine, 2017). This might be a result of the lower possibility of adverse effects like sleepiness and vertigo that accompany numerous prescription drugs.
Patients who reported a change in their OBPMs were also asked to write on items measuring their health functioning and limitations due to illness before medical cannabis use (pre) and after (post). Results indicated that despite reporting changes in OBPMs, patients’ reports of improvement for all domains were congruent with the overall study sample.
Interprofessional Collaboration
Using the skills she learned as an Air Force nurse, Mehta developed a pilot program for veterans with chronic conditions like COPD that combines physical therapy and behavioral health. The program empowers participants to take control of their health and make healthy choices.
As part of the program, Mehta collaborates with other providers across the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System, including medical and mental health providers. She also reaches out to community partners, including organizations that employ veterans.
REVU’s primary goal is to instill confidence in scientific research and foster a sense of belonging among its participants while providing a network for academic success. Yale Conferences & Events recently spoke with REVU founder Marla Geha to learn more about this innovative summer program and its transformative impact on veterans.
Precautions
Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons patients use medicinal cannabis. However, many patients are using MC to manage a wide range of conditions. Consequently, clinicians need to understand the implications of this trend for their patient management.
Unlike clinical drugs, which often have many unwanted side effects, medical marijuana is naturally sourced and free from chemicals. In addition, medical cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways. It can be smoked, eaten, or applied topically. Regardless of the route of administration, users report that it has been effective for their pain.
Positive media attention may raise expectations of MC for pain relief, resulting in a placebo effect (Kaptchuk et al., 2020). Clinicians must know this and help patients titrate MC for pain to achieve the desired outcomes. The guiding principle is to start low and go slow. This enables the maximum benefits of MC without intoxication or other adverse side effects.
Patient Education
For many veterans who have not responded well to previous steps of pain management, identifying an effective treatment regimen can be challenging. This is especially true for those who need a comprehensive treatment program that addresses the psychosocial impact of chronic pain.
The EVP curriculum uses mindfulness practices, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Whole Health coaching to empower participants to make the best decisions for their values and preferences. In a recent study, Regenstrief Institute researchers and their colleagues at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy found that patients enrolled in EVP experienced significant reductions in their prescription dosages over eight months, with a downward trend observed for those on the highest baseline dosages of prescribed opioids.
The CUNY team also asked participants to report on their health functioning before and after cannabis use using an abbreviated version of the SF-36. Overall, most said that their health functioning improved after cannabis initiation, with improvements seen in domains such as Bodily Pain, Social Functioning, and Role Limitations Due to Health.