For many patients, booking a medical cannabis consultation is a significant step. Whether you have been managing a chronic condition for years or are only recently exploring your options, it is natural to have questions about what the process involves.
This guide explains what a telehealth consultation with a Care Direct Authorised Prescriber looks like, from the moment you book through to what happens after your appointment.
Before Your Appointment: Preparation
Getting the most from your consultation starts with preparation. Before your appointment, gather the following:
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A list of your current medications, including dosages
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Details of any previous treatments you have tried for your condition, and your experience with them
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Any relevant medical records, specialist letters, or test results
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A clear account of your symptoms: how long you have had them, how they affect your daily life, and any patterns you have noticed
You do not need to bring a GP referral. However, the more clinical context you can provide, the more informed your doctor's assessment will be.
The Consultation Itself
Care Direct consultations take place via telehealth, meaning your appointment is conducted over the phone or via video call from wherever you are in Australia. There is no waiting room, no travel, and no need to take time off work to visit a clinic in person.
Your consultation will be conducted by an AHPRA-registered doctor who is also a TGA Authorised Prescriber for medical cannabis. Here is what that appointment typically covers:
Medical History Review
Your doctor will ask about your health background, including your diagnosis, how long you have been managing your condition, and what treatments you have already tried. This is not an interrogation; it is a clinical conversation. The goal is to build a complete picture of your situation.
Current Medications and Interactions
Your doctor will review any medications you are currently taking. This is an important safety step, as cannabinoid medicines can interact with certain other drugs. Your prescriber will factor this into their assessment.
Treatment Goals
Your doctor will ask what you are hoping to achieve. This helps guide the clinical discussion and, if a prescription is issued, informs decisions around formulation and dosing.
Clinical Assessment
Based on your medical history, prior treatments, and current situation, your doctor will assess whether medical cannabis is clinically appropriate for you. Medical cannabis is generally considered where conventional treatments have not provided adequate relief, or where side effects have made those treatments unsuitable.
A prescription is not guaranteed. The assessment is genuinely clinical, and your doctor's decision is based on your individual circumstances.
If a Prescription Is Issued
If your Authorised Prescriber determines that medical cannabis is clinically appropriate, they will issue an electronic prescription (eScript). This can be dispensed at an authorised Australian pharmacy, and in many cases, medication can be delivered directly to your home.
Your doctor will discuss the recommended formulation and explain how to use it. They will also set expectations around timeframes for noticing any effects and explain what to monitor in the weeks ahead.
What If a Prescription Is Not Issued?
Not every consultation results in a prescription, and this is by design. Medical cannabis is a regulated medicine, not an over-the-counter supplement. If your doctor determines it is not clinically appropriate at this time, they will explain their reasoning and may suggest alternative options or further investigations.
This clinical rigour is part of what makes the process safe and credible.
After Your Appointment: Continuous Care
At Care Direct, the consultation is the beginning of your care, not the end of it.
We provide ongoing monitoring and support throughout your treatment journey. This includes:
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Follow-up consultations to review how your treatment is progressing
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Dose adjustments based on your response and any side effects
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Ongoing clinical oversight to ensure your treatment remains appropriate as your circumstances change
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Access to your care team between appointments if you have questions
Medical cannabis treatment requires time and clinical adjustment. Having consistent, knowledgeable support throughout that process makes a meaningful difference.
Practical Details
Location: Available to patients across Australia via telehealth.
Referral required: No.
What to have ready: Medical history, medication list, and a summary of prior treatments.
Technology required: A phone or device with internet access for video consultations.
Ready to Book?
If you have a chronic condition and are considering whether medical cannabis may be appropriate for your situation, the first step is to complete our short eligibility screening. It takes only a few minutes and helps determine whether a consultation is likely to be suitable.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only. Medical cannabis is a prescription medicine. Whether it is appropriate for your individual situation is a clinical decision made by your treating doctor, based on your full medical history.