Focus of the Month For Doctors

Designed for doctors, this course explores a range of health conditions that disproportionately affect people assigned female at birth and intersex individuals with female reproductive organs—many of which are historically under-recognised and undertreated. These conditions can significantly impact physical, mental, and reproductive health, often requiring nuanced, multidisciplinary approaches. With medical cannabis emerging as a potential adjunct for symptom management, this course provides evidence-based insights into its role across conditions including: Endometriosis Dysmenorrhoea Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Postpartum Depression (PPD) Breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers Perimenopause and menopause The course also addresses key safety considerations, including contraindications during pregnancy and lactation. Clinicians will leave with a deeper understanding of how to safely integrate medical cannabis into patient-centred care plans alongside conventional therapies. Preview this course by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 5.5 hours Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Describe and explain the causes, symptoms, effects, and risk factors for various reproductive health conditions, including perimenopause, menopause, breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and postpartum depression (PPD) Identify and evaluate common conventional treatment options for these conditions and their potential drawbacks Discuss the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis for treating symptoms of these reproductive health conditions Identify considerations for selecting suitable medical cannabis products for treating symptoms related to these conditions Identify TGA guidelines on contraindications for medical cannabis use during pregnancy and chest-feeding Discuss potential short and long-term risks of early cannabis exposure Explain the role of the endocannabinoid system in reproductive function Describe the risks of cannabis use during pregnancy, planning to become pregnant, and postnatal phases for both the foetus or infant and the birth-giver

When chronic pain from repeated injuries forced legendary basketballer Lauren Jackson into retirement, her journey to recovery became a complex challenge. But Lauren defied the odds, returning to the court to play in the Australian squad for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 2022. This case study explores the challenges faced by female athletes in high-impact sports, including the prevalence of bone stress and joint injuries, the impact of hormonal factors, and the complexities of chronic pain management. It also addresses how medical cannabis was incorporated in Lauren's treatments. Healthcare practitioners will gain insights into: The pathophysiology of common injuries in female athletes, including bone stress and joint injuries Potential benefits and limitations of medical cannabis in managing chronic pain and aiding recovery Considerations for incorporating medical cannabis into treatment plans alongside conventional therapies. Strategies for discussing medical cannabis with patients while prioritiding safety and minimising risks Explore the evidence and evaluate how medical cannabis might fit within a broader approach to managing chronic conditions and sports-related injuries. Preview this module by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 1 hour Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Explain the pathophysiology of common conditions and impact-based sporting injuries for female athletes and identify common management strategies Discuss the potential benefits and limitations of medical cannabis as a treatment option for symptoms of chronic sporting injuries and recovery from surgery Discuss the potential benefits and limitations of medical cannabis as a treatment option for symptoms of endometriosis Explain how medical cannabis treatment may integrate into and influence prescribed opioid treatment outcomes and effects Identify suitable candidates for medical cannabis treatment Devise treatment plans that consider patient safety and minimise risk Facilitate clinical discussions with patients around medical cannabis as a therapeutic option in the management of chronic conditions, impact-based sporting injuries and recovery from surgery Disclaimer: Lauren has a financial interest in a medicinal cannabis company. Lauren is not receiving any financial remuneration from SAGED for her involvement in this case study.

Sixty-year-old Jen was hesitant when she walked into the consultation room. She had been experiencing severe ankle pain caused by chronic regional pain syndrome and her treatments to date hadn’t done the trick. But medical cannabis? Wouldn’t she end up walking around “like a zombie”? To complicate matters further, Jen has a history of now-stable cardiovascular disease. THC and CBD can affect cardiac functioning and interact with common POAC drugs.  But, all hope was not lost! In this case study, find out how Jen’s team safely treated her pain and secondary insomnia using medical cannabis, and minimised psychotropic effects so she remained her lively, vital self throughout treatment. Preview this module by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 1 hour Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Explain the cardiac effects of medical cannabis Discuss the potential benefits and limitations of medical cannabis as a treatment option in patients with cardiac disease Facilitate clinical discussions with patients around medical cannabis as a therapeutic option in symptom management Apply critical safety considerations/risk mitigation strategies for patients presenting with cardiac concerns Discuss potential drug-drug interactions Provide medication safety education to patients around drug-drug interactions

A person with ovaries is typically born with about one million ovarian follicles.¹ By puberty, this number decreases to between 250,000 and 400,000¹, continuing to decline throughout life. Between the ages of 45-56, the diminishing ovarian follicle count leads to hormonal shifts that can cause various symptoms, including irregular menstruation and vasomotor or organ-related issues.¹ This transitional phase is known as perimenopause, while menopause marks the final menstrual cycle. This module explores the potential of medical cannabis to alleviate disruptive symptoms associated with menopause, offering an alternative option for symptom management. Preview this module by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 1 hour Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Explain the physiology, symptomatology and effects of menopause Identify conventional interventions for symptoms of menopause and describe their potential strengths and drawbacks Discuss medical cannabis' mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential for treating symptoms of menopause Identify considerations and risks for selecting medical cannabis products to treat symptoms of menopause References ¹ Peacock, Kimberly, and Kari M. Ketvertis. “Menopause.” NIH, StatPearls Publishing, Jan. 2024, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507826/. Accessed 26 June 2024.