Karen A. Dominguez-Cancino
Karen A. Domínguez-Cancino, PhD, is a researcher at the School of Nursing, Universidad San Sebastián. She recently completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Service sur les Dépendances, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada. Since 2019, she has served as Deputy Director of the South American Affiliate Group of the Joanna Briggs Institute, leading and supporting the development of new research and evidence syntheses. Her research interests focus on public policies related to substance use, health services research, and gender studies.
Session
Background: The legalization of non-medical cannabis in Canada has introduced significant challenges for health and social professionals, particularly in providing care to pregnant women. This study examines how professionals navigate discussions about cannabis use during health encounters with pregnant women within Québec's healthcare system. Methods: Using a qualitative approach, we conducted 19 interviews with social and health professionals across various regions of Québec, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and psycho-educators. Data were analyzed using King’s Template Analysis. Results: Four main themes were identified: 1) Knowledge Gaps and Misinformation: Professionals face difficulties providing evidence-based guidance due to conflicting research and lack of clear information, resulting in inconsistent messaging. Pregnant women often turn to non-medical sources, compounding misinformation. 2) Social Norms and Comparisons: the normalization of cannabis use post-legalization, often compared to alcohol or tobacco,, complicates efforts to convey risks, 3) Training and Professional Preparedness: General substance use training is available, but specific guidance on cannabis use during pregnancy is largely absent, leaving professionals underprepared.. 4) Educational Needs for Pregnant Women and the Public: Professionals emphasized the importance of creating targeted educational initiatives, recommending accessible tools like videos, brochures, and social media campaigns to address misconceptions and raise awareness of cannabis-related risks during pregnancy. Conclusion: To improve care and foster effective, evidence-based discussions about cannabis use during pregnancy, addressing knowledge gaps and providing targeted training for professionals is essential. Integrating harm reduction strategies and developing educational resources tailored to diverse audiences are crucial within the evolving legal landscape.