Working draft — Scientific review: pending | Regulatory review: pending | Not for external clinical or promotional use without independent verification
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PrescriberLast reviewed: April 2026

Patient Communication, Informed Consent and Documentation

Train prescribers to communicate uncertainty and document appropriately.

Learning Objectives

Explain unlicensed status to patients
Explain evidence uncertainty
Discuss potential benefits and risks
Discuss alternatives
Document monitoring and stopping rules
Document interactions and patient responsibilities

Core Content

Patients considering cannabinoid medicines often have high expectations shaped by media and online information.

Clear, honest communication about evidence uncertainty, unlicensed status, and realistic expectations is essential.

Documentation protects both the patient and the prescriber.

Key Takeaways

  • 1Clear communication about uncertainty is essential
  • 2Use the patient explanation script as a starting point
  • 3Document all consent discussions
  • 4Agree monitoring and stopping rules before starting
  • 5Answer all patient questions honestly

Knowledge Check

Q1. A patient asks whether the portal means they can obtain CBD treatment. The correct response is:

Downloadable Tools

Informed consent template

Template for documenting informed consent

template

Patient discussion guide

Guide for discussing cannabinoid medicines with patients

card

Follow-up form

Standardised follow-up visit form

form

Tools are provided as templates for clinical practice. Adapt to your clinic's specific requirements.

References

  1. [1]GMC. Consent: patients and doctors making decisions together. 2024.
  2. [2]GMC. Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices. 2024.
Module 9: Clinical PathwaysModule 11: Clinic Governance

This material is educational and non-promotional. It does not constitute medical advice, prescribing advice, or a recommendation to use any medicine. Any use of an unlicensed medicine requires patient-specific clinical justification, informed consent, monitoring, pharmacovigilance and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.