TORONTO, June 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, Toronto-based mdBriefCase Group launched a unique online educational program, Medical Cannabis IQ: The Fundamentals, aimed at addressing the growing need for education among healthcare professionals around medical cannabis.

"Cannabis is a powerful tool in the integrative treatment of complex diseases," explained Dr. Caroline MacCallum, physician and topic expert on the program. Cannabis use has been associated with decreased use of other pain and mental health medications. "It can treat multiple medical conditions and symptom clusters concurrently. It thereby reduces polypharmacy, including opioids, and unwanted side effects."

"We cannot, as healthcare professionals, stick our collective heads in the sand when it comes to medical cannabis. With over 160,000 registered clients consuming the product, it's clearly a therapeutic option that a significant number of Canadians are pursuing and experiencing benefit." said Michael Boivin, Clinical Pharmacist. "We hope through this program that our colleagues in various healthcare professions can learn the fundamentals about medical cannabis, its potential role in managing patients, understand some of the popular misconceptions, and appreciate the regulatory framework that exists in Canada."

All Canadian physicians who do not have a restricted license, as well as nurse practitioners in some provinces, are currently eligible to prescribe medical cannabis. "Medical cannabis has huge potential due to the vast variety of medicinal compounds it produces," stated Dr. Chris Spooner, ND. "As a result, it is a complex medicine and health professionals can benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to take full advantage of its therapeutic potential."

The cross-professional nature of the planning committee resulted in the examination of a wide range of topics related to medical cannabis. "This program draws on the experience of an eclectic range of health professions to provide the fundamental knowledge required to accurately counsel patients," concluded Dr. Spooner.

Between October 1st and December 31st, 2016, there were 5,134kg of dried cannabis and 4,109kg of cannabis oil sold by licensed producers in Canada.

To learn more, visit: http://www.advancingpractice.com/p-98-medical-cannabis-iq-the-fundamentals.aspx

QUOTES:

"Cannabis is a powerful tool in the integrative treatment of complex diseases. Cannabis has many mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic targets. It can treat multiple medical conditions and symptom clusters concurrently. It thereby reduces polypharmacy, including opioids, and unwanted pharmaceutical side effects."



- Dr. Caroline MacCallum, FRCPC, BSc Pharm

"We cannot, as healthcare professionals, stick our collective heads in the sand when it comes to medical cannabis. With almost 130,000 registered clients consuming the product, it's clearly a therapeutic option that a significant number of Canadians are pursuing and experiencing benefit. We hope through this program that our colleagues in various healthcare professions can learn the basics about medical cannabis, its potential role in managing patients, understand some of the popular misconceptions, and appreciate the regulatory framework that exists in Canada."

- Michael Boivin, B. Pharm., CDE, CTE, CTH

"Optimizing competence and confidence for both nonpharmacologic and pharmacological symptom management that includes cannabis to ensure best evidence practice is key."

- Dr. Michelle Acorn, DNP, NP PHC/Adult

"Medical cannabis has huge potential due to the vast variety of medicinal compounds it produces. As a result, it is a complex medicine and health professionals can benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to take full advantage of its therapeutic potential. This program draws on the experience of an eclectic range of health professions to provide the fundamental knowledge required to accurately counsel patients."

- Dr. Chris Spooner, ND, BSc

ABOUT MDBRIEFCASE GROUP

mdBriefCase Group specializes in accredited, online continuing professional development (CPD) programs, custom tailored for specific international markets and available on a convenient online platform. All content is developed by leading specialists and peer-reviewed by experts, which keeps more than 100,000 healthcare practitioners in Canada at the forefront of the latest evidence and protocols worldwide.

Advancing Practice is the mdBriefCase Group e-Learning community that provides comprehensive, in-depth certificate-level courses on a variety of topics to support the advancement of clinician practice. These specialized courses are developed in partnership with prominent organizations to address specific knowledge or training gaps in health care and are conveniently made available online for purchase.

www.mdBriefCaseGroup.com | www.AdvancingPractice.com

SOURCE mdBriefCase Group Inc.

For further information: Media Contact: Janet Kimura, Senior VP, Business Development & Strategic Initiatives, Office: 416.488.5500 ext. 221, [email protected]

Related Links

https://www.mdbriefcase.com/default.aspx

