Name & Professional Title:
Dr. Joshua Andrew Coulter, BSc, MBChB, PGDipRPHP, PGCertHSc (women’s health)
How long have you been practising medicine?
8 years.
What inspired you to specialise in medicinal cannabis?
I’ve seen it help so many people in various different ways, and it’s a privilege to be able to ensure people feel like patients, not criminals.
What is your approach to patient care?
I spend time listening to you, getting to know your situation, your experience with cannabis, or lack thereof, and make sure you feel that I have heard your concerns. Then I will construct a treatment plan that I think best aligns with your goals whilst ensuring a duty of care to you throughout.
What do you find most rewarding about working with medicinal cannabis?
Seeing people’s lives changed through this plant-based medicine is a true joy. I’ve seen people get off a number of medications that have a variety of side effects that they have been taking for a long time. I’ve seen people’s quality of life, general well-being, interpersonal relationships, occupational performance significantly improve.
What are your areas of expertise or special interests within the field?
I have an interest in women’s health and related symptoms, but have also found that I really enjoy working with the cannabis-naive patients.
How do you stay updated with the latest advancements in medicinal cannabis?
We have regular continuous medical education sessions as a team. We read the latest articles and evidence, and I have helped participate as one of the prescribers in a study pertaining to medicinal cannabis and endometriosis run through the University of Otago, partnered with the Endo Warriors.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
Hanging out with my wife, 2 kids, and doing fly fishing and gardening.
What is one piece of advice you give to patients considering medicinal cannabis treatment?
Come see us, talk to us, see if you think it’s right for you, give it a go. And if you’re already using cannabis, just be honest with us. It’s a really safe space, judgement-free, where you can talk about cannabis. We encourage questions. And the more you can tell me, the more I’m going to be able to help you.
What’s something unique about you that patients might find interesting?
I am in training to be a rural hospital doctor. And I used to live in London for a decade.
What would you say to patients who are new to the clinic and medicinal cannabis?
We’re a really nice friendly bunch. No need to feel any apprehension. Just come and have a chat with us, and we’ll see how we can best help.
How do you collaborate with other healthcare professionals at CannaPlus+ to ensure holistic patient care?
We all sing from the same song sheet and regularly talk to each other to ensure that we are doing right by our patients and delivering best standard care.
What conditions or symptoms do you frequently treat with medicinal cannabis?
There’s no real limit to what we could potentially treat, but I have found the biggest benefits to do with anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain. Specifically neuropathic or chronic pelvic, reduction in migraines, and reduced PTSD hyper-arousal symptoms.
