A Joint Conversation: People With Cystic Fibrosis' Perception of Healthcare Teams' Knowledge, Comfort, and Barriers in Discussing Substance Use

ABSTRACT Background Substance use has increased among people with CF (pwCF), yet communication about use remains understudied between pwCF and their healthcare providers. Objective Investigate pwCF's perceptions regarding their healthcare team's discussions surrounding substance use, comfort level discussing such usage, and barriers encountered during these discussions. Methods This cross‐sectional study used a one‐time electronic survey to assess communication regarding substance use between pwCF aged 13 years and older and their CF healthcare team. Results Of 226 participants, 74% ( n = 167) reported being asked about marijuana, 57% ( n = 128) about CBD, 70% ( n = 150) about e‐cigarettes, and 88% ( n = 189) about cigarettes by their CF healthcare team. Fewer providers discussed the risks and benefits of each substance: 47% ( n = 107) for marijuana, 40% ( n = 90) for CBD, 44% ( n = 99) for e‐cigarettes, and 61% ( n = 138) for cigarettes. Provider knowledge was rated higher for cigarettes and e‐cigarettes compared to marijuana and CBD. Most participants felt comfortable discussing substance use, though a minority expressed discomfort, mainly due to concerns about documentation in medical records and perceived lack of support. Conclusion This study highlights variability in communication between pwCF and their healthcare teams regarding substance use, particularly when it comes to marijuana and CBD. The findings suggest a need for standardized guidelines and educational resources to improve recreational substance screening and discussion in CF clinical care, especially given the changing landscape of marijuana regulations and increasing use among pwCF.