Development of the Three Doctor Policy in Cannabis Medical Use in Community Palliative Care

Abstract

This action research aimed to develop the service forms under the three-doctor policy in using medical cannabis extract in palliative patients in the community and study the results of the services under the three-doctor policy in using medical cannabis extract in terms of quality of life, side effects, and satisfactions of the palliative patients in the community. The data were collected from the registered palliative patients whose ages were 25 years and older, were not pregnant women, and were not forbidden from using medical cannabis. Fifty-nine palliative patients participated in the study. Tools used in the study were a questionnaire, a quality-of-life assessment form, and a satisfaction assessment form. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using percentages, means, medians, and standard deviations. The results indicated that 62 participants in the development of service forms under the three-doctor policy were as follows: 36 participants were “the first doctors” (village health volunteers), 24 participants were “the second doctors” (health professionals), and 2 participants were “the third doctors” (medical physicians). They successfully performed the three-doctor activities at 100%. The palliative patients used cannabis to reduce the pain arising out of cancer at most. Moreover, after using the medical cannabis extract under the service forms of the three-doctor, the palliative patients’ quality of life in the community who received the service under the service forms of three-doctor was improved, especially in doing daily activities and self-care. Even though no serious side effects from using the medical cannabis extract were found, minor side effects were found including dizziness and nausea. The satisfaction result in terms of quickness in accessing the service was at the highest level. If the activities are expanded in the service form of the three-doctor in the palliative patients in to cover all areas, it will increase the level of access to treatments. In this regard, it may increase the quality of life and reduce the mortality rate of palliative patients in the community.