The Professional Certificate of Medicinal Cannabis equips medical practitioners with the knowledge to safely apply cannabis as a medicinal tool for patients with common ailments in primary care.
You will learn about the endocannabinoid system and the properties of THC and CBD; explore the routes of administration, side effects and contraindications of medicinal cannabis; and draw upon real patient cases and common conditions seen in general practice, including chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, depression, and cancer.
The evidence-backed, science-based online program teaches how and why medicinal cannabis works, enabling you to provide holistic care and optimal outcomes for your patients.
GPs working in Australia (except for in Tasmania) may prescribe Medicinal Cannabis, however, as part of the guidelines of the TGA SAS-B, you will need to indicate that you have the knowledge necessary to do so. This program will equip you with the knowledge required to manage and prescribe Medicinal Cannabis for various conditions and can serve as part of your documentation showing that you have undertaken education in this field when you decide to become an authorised prescriber. More information here.
This course is the first stage of the three-part Professional Diploma of Medical Cannabis. The education pathway is Professional Certificate of Medicinal Cannabis, Advanced Certificate of Medicinal Cannabis and Professional Diploma of Medicinal Cannabis.
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This Professional Certificate of Medicinal Cannabis is for medical doctors who wish to learn how to improve patient outcomes with medicinal cannabis, especially those patients with conditions commonly seen in general practice. This qualification is the first stage of the Professional Diploma of Medicinal Cannabis.
This course is for physicians and degree-qualified medical professionals. There are no prerequisites. Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed.
Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.
Professionally
Course participants will:
Module 1: Introduction to the endocannabinoid system
Module 2: Exploring THC and CBD
Module 3: Routes of administration, side effects and contraindications
Module 4: Patient cases and basic ailments
Module 5: History of cannabis and medical acceptance
Module 6: Chronic pain and medical cannabis
Module 7: Anxiety, insomnia and depression
Module 8: Cancer symptomatic treatment
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Enrol before 30 June for just $995* with code EOFY22
(instead of $1,895)
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A/Prof Vicki Kotsirilos
Expert Reviewer
AM, MBBS, FACNEM, FASLM, Awarded Honorary Fellowship of the RACGP
Adjunct Associate Professor, NICM Health Research Institute
Research Committee Member, NICM Health Research Institute
Associate Professor Vicki Kotsirilos AM is a respected general practitioner with over 30 years of clinical experience, integrating evidence-based holistic therapies such as acupuncture, nutritional and herbal medicine with mainstream healthcare.
A/Prof Kotsirilos keeps up to date with the research in these areas culminating in the development of the successful textbook A Guide to Evidence-Based Integrative and Complementary Medicine. She is also a regular writer for Medical Observer, publishing a monthly column on evidence-based Integrative Medicine and circulates research updates for Australian doctors.
A/Prof Kotsirilos holds adjunct associate professorial positions with NICM and La Trobe University's, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, and formerly with Monash University. She was the founding Chair of the RACGP Integrative Medicine Working group, as well as the founder and Founding Past President of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA).
A/Prof Kotsirilos served as an active board member on AIMA for 20 years, forging positive relations with government and peak medical bodies such as the AMA and RACGP. She has served on many state and federal government committees, such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Complementary Medicine Evaluation Committee (eight years) and as the GP member on the Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (five years). In addition, A/Prof Kotsirilos served on the Victorian Council of the AMA and for several years worked closely with the Medical Panels, Victorian Workcover. She continues to work for regulatory federal government bodies such as AHPRA.
A/Prof Jonathon Arnold
Deputy Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney, Australia.
Associate Professor Jonathon Arnold is a world leader in the science of cannabis and the cannabinoids. He is Deputy Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney, Australia. This is a cross faculty research initiative that specialises in the discovery and development of cannabis-based medicines. In 2018 he was one of four scientists selected to advise the World Health Organisation (WHO) on their historical review of cannabis and the cannabinoids.
A/Prof Arnold has over 20 years’ experience in cannabinoid pharmacology and has published extensively on the molecular, cellular, neurobiological and behavioural actions of the phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Since 2016 he and his team have conducted epilepsy research to improve the understanding of the anticonvulsant properties of the phytocannabinoids. He recently published a high-profile paper which shed new light on the mode of action of CBD in the treatment of childhood epilepsy (Altmetric 75). This paper received the Epilepsia Brain Science Prize honouring the most significant advance in knowledge in the field of epilepsy in 2019.
Dr Harry McIlroy
MD
Integrative physician in San Francisco
Dr Harry McIlroy, MD is an integrative physician in San Francisco who combines the best of Western and Eastern medicine to help people live well and feel better.
Dr McIlroy is a licensed acupuncturist with training in functional medicine. He considers himself to be an old-time, small town family doctor with a big bag of tricks! He works hard to truly know his patients and help them optimise their health and vitality as naturally as possible. His specialities include medical cannabis, chronic pain, digestive health, regenerative medicine and insomnia.
Dr Joe Kosterich
MBBS
Doctor, speaker, author, media presenter and health industry consultant, Dr Joe Kosterich wants you to be healthy and get the most out of life.
Dr Kosterich writes for numerous medical and mainstream publications and is a regular on radio and television. He is often called to give opinions in medico legal cases, is clinical editor of Medical Forum Magazine, adjunct professor (teaching) at UWA and a lecturer at Curtin Medical School.
Medical Advisor to Medicinal Cannabis company Little Green Pharma and Chairman of Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association, Dr Kosterich has self-published two books: Dr Joe’s DIY Health and 60 Minutes To Better Health, and maintains a website and blog with health information and commentary.
Previously he held senior positions in the Australian Medical Association and sat on numerous industry and government boards. He has extensive corporate experience in the setting up and management of medical centres and in helping businesses maintain a healthy workforce.
Through all this he continues to see patients as a GP each week.
Dr John Teh
MBBS, Cannabinoid Clinician, Clinical Educator
Medical Director, PlantMed
Dr John Teh is the Medical Director of Plantmed Medical Cannabis Clinic, Australia. He has been working within the Medicinal Cannabis industry since the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal use in Australia in February 2016.
Dr Teh is actively involved in Cannabis Medicine education, training medical practitioners and allied health professionals in all areas of cannabinoid therapeutics. He is a medical advisor to various cannabis producers and suppliers within Australia, and consulted the Thailand government prior their introduction of their medicinal cannabis program in 2019.
Dr Teh has vast experience treating a variety of patients with Medical Cannabis and integrates nutrition and plant based medicines which support cannabinoid treatment in his practice. His wealth of knowledge makes him sought after in all areas of cannabis medicine and education.
Dr Shiksha Gallow
Medical Director and CEO of Biodata which is part of the JSE listed Labat Healthcare
Dr Shiksha Gallow is the Medical Director and CEO of Biodata which is part of the JSE listed Labat Healthcare. She has vast academic qualifications in both the medical sector, public health and strategic management. Dr Gallow is registered with the HPCSA in Clinical Pathology as a Medical Scientist. She is also a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the SACNASP. Additionally, Dr Gallow is registered as an Ethnomedicine Medical Practioner with EPASA as well as an Ayurvedic Practioner and is also a registered Dr with the ANHA.
She holds a Masters Degree in Medical Science (MMedSci), a Masters in Medicine in Public Health Medicine (MMedMPH), Masters in Business Admin (MBA), and a PHD. She is currently completing a second PHD in the health profession with cannabinoids and prostate cancer. Furthermore, she completed her Clinical Pathology medical board exam Cum Laude (the most distinguished in South Africa at the time). She has also completed a Medical Cannabis accredited course for doctors with the University of Washington Medical School.
Dr Gallow has obtained degrees from Durban University, University of Roehampton UK, Open University UK, Milton Keynes University UK, University of Washington Medical School, and UNISA, and her MBA was affiliated with Harvard University. To add to her educational profile, Dr Gallow is also a qualified trainer, assessor and moderator with SETA and ETDP SAQA, as well as a Prince 2 Practitioner registered with APMG. Dr Gallow has also recently published two academic books internationally one in the field of Medicine and the other in Business Science.
Dr Gallow’s successes started in Clinical Pathology as the Regional Manager of Ampath Drs Du Buisson & Partners. Here her role was to advise clinicians on pathology results, interpretation and further diagnostic tests. She was responsible for the quality management and accreditation of the Ampath laboratories. She was then the Chief Operations Officer at Clinical Lab Services which is a division of the Wits University. Here, she was involved in many reputable clinical trials, such as the HIV vaccine study (IAVI), FACTS study, PreP study, IMPAACT, as well as the H3 Africa Biorepository study to name a few. She has been involved with and received funding from the NIH, USAID, PEPFAR, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the clinical trial research projects.
Dr Gallow has vast experience in ensuring a facility obtains and retains accreditation and certification and complies with required accreditation quality standards and legislation. She has been involved in ISO 17025 and 15189 standards, British Qualogy GCLP, FHI DAIDS, OHS Health and Safety, and FDA inspections. At Biodata, she is involved in the clinical trials and registration of cannabinoid medicine. She is involved in the formulation of these medicines and holds the IP of a range of treatment protocols.
The Professional Certificate of Medicinal Cannabis is fully delivered online. Participants can enjoy the flexibility to study at their own pace, in their own time, within their home or office, and on their favourite mobile device. The modules are set up in such a way that participants are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay the video lectures at their convenience.
The webinars offer the opportunity to join and interact with the presenters online in real-time but can also be viewed later. There are no face-to-face requirements for exams which can be conveniently completed online within three months of the exam opening date. With no travel, accommodation or out-of-office expenses incurred, participants can build critical skills and tailor their career while working in a busy practice or raising a family.
There are eight units in a HealthCert Professional Certificate program. The course is delivered over 15 weeks with 12 weeks of teaching followed by three weeks for revision and final examinations. The course includes online presentations from experts in the field followed by patient case discussions and decision-making. There is a final webinar prior to examinations. You will also receive valuable 12 months' web-based support from the speakers and participate in regular online learning sessions with the opportunity to ask any questions you might have as you implement your learning.
The course includes:
In order to meet the requirements of professional and academic learning, the course assessment includes a professional requirement and two online examinations.
Online assessment
The knowledge-based examination is worth 50 per cent and the application-based examination is worth 50 per cent. The overall pass mark is 80 per cent. It is therefore not possible to pass this course on knowledge alone. Knowledge must be successfully applied to patient cases in order to pass the course.
HealthCert recommends completion of the assessment at your convenience within three months of the completion of the course (or enrolling in the online course).Upon successful completion of the exam, course participants will receive a Professional Certificate of Medicinal Cannabis.
RACGP CPD Accredited Activity 40 Points
ACRRM PDP units: 38 Educational activity, 20 Performance review
This professional certificate:
This online three-part program consists of the Professional Certificate, Advanced Certificate, and Professional Diploma of Medical Cannabis.
Certified clinical attachments pathway
Course graduates may continue their professional development by completing a clinical attachment, which are available on request. These will be on a 1:1 basis providing the opportunity to observe clinical nutrition consultation, planning and decision-making and ask questions of the expert. Clinical attachments are available in Australia.
Postgraduate pathway for Medical Cannabis
A postgraduate pathway is currently being identified. Please check with HealthCert Education Advisors for an update.
Start studies anytime.
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