An educational program designed to close training gaps in cannabis medicine among medical students has been launched.
The Australian Medicinal Cannabis Course Online was developed by Lucy Haslam, a patient advocate and director of United in Compassion, together with Dr David Caldicott, a clinical senior lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine at the Australian National University.
Dr Caldicott assembled the course curriculum, operating with full independence from industry influence. The program addresses a substantial educational deficit—research indicates that approximately one in ten medical students graduate having received formal instruction in cannabis-based medications.
A recent Senate investigation into medicinal cannabis accessibility called for significantly greater educational focus on the subject for health professionals, yet these recommendations have not yet been implemented.
The Senate is anticipated to deliver its determination regarding these recommendations by September.
Our experience has shown us that those doctors who do show the initiative to become educated soon become strong advocates for prescribing this age-old medication.”
lucy haslam
Haslam said: "We accepted long ago that the Australian health workforce lacked education about the medicinal uses of cannabis. That absence of education has been a large part of the reluctance to prescribe by Australian doctors and contributes to the large number of patients remaining reliant on the illicit market and all the problems and vulnerability that situation creates."
Analysis of findings from the Harm Reduction Journal shows that despite rising numbers of patients obtaining legal prescriptions, over 95 per cent continue to source cannabis medicines through illicit markets.
Haslam added: "It's important for Australia to have a truly independent course, not associated or funded by industry and written for Australian doctors by an Australian doctor. Our experience has shown us that those doctors who do show the initiative to become educated soon become strong advocates for prescribing this age-old medication."
