Alan Kunz-Lomelin, PhD
Florida Atlantic University
Co-Authors: Panagiota Kitsanta1, Xingquan Zhu1, Nyla Searles1, Mirella Balas1, Tabatha Spinks1
1Florida Atlantic University
Background: The legalization of cannabis has increased cannabis use while decreasing public perceptions of its health associated risks. The increase in telehealth services, because of COVID-19, has increased the availability and accessibility of treatment for those diagnosed with cannabis use disorder. However, there are still those who do not engage in telehealth treatment and continue to face barriers in getting access to care. Understanding factors associated with telehealth service use in this population may help increase treatment accessibility and prevent long term consequences of untreated cannabis use disorder (CUD).
Objectives: Utilizing Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Care Utilization, this study sought to understand factors associated with telehealth service use among a sample of participants diagnosed with cannabis use disorder over the past year.
Methods: Data were used from the 2023 National Survey of Drug Use and Health. Participants were at least 12 years old and had been diagnosed with cannabis use disorder within the last year (n = 5,091). Predictors included predisposing factors, enabling factors, and need factors. Binary logistic regression was used to determine their impact on past-year telehealth use.
Results: Regression analysis revealed that factors associated with higher telehealth use among individuals with CUD included being female (OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.36, 2.85), Hispanic (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.01, 2.43), 35 years old or older (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.08, 3.00), having public (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.21, 3.43) or private (OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.01, 3.26) insurance, having higher psychological distress (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.00, 1.07), and having poor overall health (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.01, 1.43). In contrast, being of “other” (e.g., Native American, Asian, Native Hawaiian) race categories (OR = .30, 95% CI .11, .77), and being enrolled in school (OR = .65, 95% CI .37, 1.12), were associated with lower telehealth service use.
Conclusion: There are key characteristics of telehealth service use that Andersen’s model can help identify and which carry implications for the treatment of cannabis use disorder. These findings can help design implementation efforts that can increase accessibility of services and improve the long-term health outcomes of those diagnosed with cannabis use disorder.