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 Selection and Suitability Assessment

Teach structured clinical assessment.

Learning Objectives

Assess diagnosis and indication fit
Assess evidence fit
Review prior treatment history
Identify unmet clinical need
Screen for contraindications and cautions
Screen for psychiatric risk
Screen for cannabis/substance-use history
Review drug interactions
Assess pregnancy and breastfeeding status
Establish baseline outcome measures
Obtain consent and define stopping rules

Core Content

Cannabinoid medicines are not suitable for all patients.

Structured assessment ensures appropriate patient selection, minimises risk, and supports defensible clinical decision-making.

A systematic approach protects both the patient and the prescriber.

Key Takeaways

  • 1Structured assessment is essential for safe prescribing
  • 2The 8-step decision tree guides patient selection
  • 3THC risk screening is mandatory for THC-containing products
  • 4Drug interactions must be reviewed before prescribing
  • 5Document the decision and rationale for every patient

Knowledge Check

Q1. A patient with a history of psychosis asks about CBD treatment. What is the first step?

Downloadable Tools

Initial assessment form

Comprehensive patient assessment form

form

Patient suitability checklist

Quick suitability screening checklist

checklist

Red-flag checklist

Contraindication and caution screening tool

checklist

Baseline outcome measure template

Template for recording baseline clinical measures

template

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

References

  1. [1]GMC. Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices. 2024.
  2. [2]NICE. Cannabis-based medicinal products. NG144. 2019.
  3. [3]BPNA. Guidance on prescribing cannabis-based products for medicinal use. 2021.
Module 5: NWPT-SM32300 ScientificModule 7: Dosing & Monitoring

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.