Consultation With Your Doctor

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Treatment Options

In Australia, medical cannabis is a fairly recent therapy option. Currently, a small but rising number of doctors are prescribing medicinal cannabis. This does not suggest that a doctor is for or against administering medicinal cannabis; rather, most medical professionals lack expertise and some may be uncomfortable giving this form of therapy.

The regulatory system, which has been TGA-approved, creates obstacles that are not a concern for proven medicines.

There are certain measures one may take before meeting with their practitioner to understand a little more about the new therapy option and communicate directly with their doctor:

Conduct some research and take the findings with you to the next appointment

There are clinical studies conducted available online that people may print and discuss with their doctor. Peer-reviewed research can assist a practitioner learn so much about medical cannabis as a therapy option for your ailment, as well as enhance your doctor’s awareness of your choice to investigate medicinal cannabis.

Be open and honest about your experience

When addressing your issue, it is critical to describe how you feel and the impact of the drugs you have taken with your doctor. It’s critical to be truthful and tell your practitioner whether you’ve previously tried cannabis and how it worked for you.

Please keep in mind that street cannabis and medical cannabis are not the same thing, especially in terms of quality control, strength, known cannabinoid content, and the possibility for hazardous additions in street cannabis. In Australia, medical cannabis is strictly controlled to guarantee patient safety, uniformity in product composition, and the absence of potentially hazardous impurities such as pesticides and moulds. Moreover, researchers have noticed a rise in THC content in street cannabis (while decreasing CBD concentration), which has been associated to an increase in the likelihood of adverse outcomes.

Be patient and collaborate

Doctors are legally required to follow medical cannabis legislation and prescription standards, but education about these principles is still in its early stages in Australia. It is critical to be patient with your primary care physician if they still have doubts or want further proof before prescribing.

There is still more to learn about the advantages of medicinal cannabis as well as how to confidently prescribe it. Both physicians and researchers are investigating the proof for this treatment for a variety of diseases, as well as how it compares to regular medications.

There’s still more to learn about the potential advantages of medicinal cannabis, how to correctly administer it, and how to obtain this prescription. Both physicians and patients are investigating the science involved in this treatment for a variety of diseases, as well as how it compares to existing drugs. It is critical to be patient with doctors that do have doubts or want further proof before prescribing. You are much more capable of attaining the optimal medical outcome if you work together.

Express your viewpoint

When choosing any new therapy, evaluate the potential influence on your general life, such as if any side effects may impede with a daily activity that is vital to you, such as handling heavy equipment. Driving? What about pre-employment testing? Are you able to pay for this treatment?

The price of medical cannabis in Australia varies and is determined by a variety of factors, including the patient’s condition and the substance prescribed. Medical cannabis is expected to cost between $150 and $3,650 a month (ranging between $5 to $120 per day).

Your doctor has to be aware of these practical issues in order to select the best medication for you and establish a treatment regimen that is appropriate for your situation.

Please keep in mind that there is now just one PBS subsidy accessible for medicinal cannabis (for Dravet Syndrome), therefore, patients will bear the whole expense.

When your practitioner suggests a therapy for you, it is based on a number of factors. If you are dissatisfied with your doctor’s suggestions, it is advisable to discuss alternatives with them. Many health disorders may be managed in a variety of ways, and it’s critical to understand the risks and advantages of each therapy, including what side effects can occur, the time the treatment will last, and how possible it is that the method of treatment works for you.

What if my doctor wants to prescribe medicinal cannabis but doesn’t know where to begin?

We recommend the following steps:

• Request that your doctor contact Medbox Pharma directly or send us an email so that we may supply them with the information they require to traverse the SAS B route.
• Request that your doctor join up for our Medical Site restricted access portal to have access to extensive resources for doctors.

When weighing the benefits and drawbacks of any therapy, don’t forget to consider how it will affect your overall quality of life. Will one of the adverse effects, for example, conflict with a common routine that is important to you? Is one treatment option costly than another? Doctors must be aware of these practical issues in order to collaborate with you to build a treatment regimen that matches your needs.

What if my doctor is unwilling to prescribe medicinal cannabis?

Because many practitioners currently lack expertise and understanding, or are uncomfortable treating patients with medical cannabis, your physician may be unwilling to apply for or administer this medication for you.

In this instance, a patient still has alternatives if they want to investigate medical cannabis as a therapy option. To begin, we urge that patients to ask their doctor whether they would consider using medical cannabis if they could obtain help with the application procedure.