# Development of a Decision Aid to Support Shared Decision-Making on Cannabis Use for Arthritis: Protocol for a Multiphase Study. > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/development-decision-aid-cannabis-arthritis/ > **Published:** 2026-04-27T08:02:30-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T16:03:03-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the development of a decision aid cannabis arthritis tool to support shared decision-making for arthritis patients considering cannabis use. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #78Notable Clinical Interest  Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Journal JMIR research protocols Study Type [Systematic Review](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-safety-efficacy-mental-health-study/) Population Human participants Why This Matters This item covers developments relevant to [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) and [clinical practice](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-reproductive-health-women-clinical-evidence/). Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material. Clinical Summary Conventional treatments have been frequently reported to offer partial relief for some individuals managing arthritis pain and related symptoms, leading many to consider alternative options, such as cannabis. Informed decision-making about [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) requires patients to weigh potential benefits and risks in light of their personal values and preferences. This study aims to systematically develop a theory-driven, evidence-based, user-centered decision aid (DA) for older adults with arthritis, considering [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/). The Ottawa Decision Support Framework, the International Patient Decision Aids Standards, and the User-Centeredness approach guided the DA development process in 4 phases. Phase 1 (completed) involved scoping reviews to explore the development of shared decision-making (SDM) tools and the literature addressing [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) in arthritis, guided by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. Phase 2 (in progress) consists Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should review this item in the context of their current practice and patient population. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Development%20of%20a%20Decision%20Aid%20to%20Support%20Shared%20Decision-Making%20on%20Cannabis%20Use%20for%20Arthritis%3A%20Proto...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fdevelopment-of-a-decision-aid-to-support-shared-decision-making-on-cannabis%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fdevelopment-of-a-decision-aid-to-support-shared-decision-making-on-cannabis%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Development%20of%20a%20Decision%20Aid%20to%20Support%20Shared%20Decision-Making%20on%20Cannabis%20Use%20for%20Arthritis%3A%20Proto...%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fdevelopment-of-a-decision-aid-to-support-shared-decision-making-on-cannabis%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41911387/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41911387/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[What is this arthritis and cannabis study trying to develop?](#What_is_this_arthritis_and_cannabis_study_trying_to_develop) - [Why do people with arthritis need help deciding about cannabis?](#Why_do_people_with_arthritis_need_help_deciding_about_cannabis) - [Which frameworks guide the development of this decision aid?](#Which_frameworks_guide_the_development_of_this_decision_aid) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ ### What is this arthritis and cannabis study trying to develop? It aims to develop a decision aid for older adults with arthritis who are considering [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/). The tool is meant to be theory-driven, evidence-based, and user-centered, supporting shared decision-making about cannabis use. The paper is a study protocol published in JMIR Research Protocols. ### Why do people with arthritis need help deciding about cannabis? Conventional treatments have frequently been reported to offer only partial relief for some people managing arthritis pain and related symptoms, leading many to consider alternatives such as cannabis. An informed decision requires weighing potential benefits and risks in light of personal values and preferences, which is what a decision aid is meant to support. ### Which frameworks guide the development of this decision aid? Three frameworks guide the work: the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, the International Patient Decision Aids Standards, and the User-Centeredness approach. Together they shape a development process organized into four phases, beginning with scoping reviews of the existing literature. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [New Clinical Insights on Cannabis and Patient Outcomes](https://cedclinic.com/new-clinical-insights-on-cannabis-and-patient-outcomes/) Discover recent clinical findings on cannabis and its impact on patient outcomes to better inform treatment decisions. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/new-clinical-insights-on-cannabis-and-patient-outcomes/) [Preoperative Cannabis Use and Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults Undergoing Major …](https://cedclinic.com/preoperative-cannabis-use-older-adults-postoperative-delirium/) Explore research on cannabis use before surgery and its effects on postoperative delirium in older adults. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/preoperative-cannabis-use-older-adults-postoperative-delirium/) [What Cannabis Does to Your Brain in the First 24 Hours – Verywell Health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) Understand the immediate effects of cannabis on brain function within the first 24 hours of use. [Explore Now](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).