About Dr. Ortega
Dr. Ed J Ortega is licensed to practice by the state board in Puerto Rico, specializing in general practice in Puerto Rico and has over 10 years of experience in the field of medicine. Completes his doctoral thesis research of lipid and glycemic profiles of obese children in southern Dominican Republic in 2006 and graduated from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra – Santiago, Dominican Republic, with a PhD medical degree in 2008.
Dr. Ortega’s medical training and board certifications includes the following: (NBME) I, (NBME) II, (NBME) III, ACLS and CPR Certification, ATLS Certification, Puerto Rico Medical State License. Also, he had collaborated with multiple healthcare institutions including local cities hospitals and regional hospitals. He is currently performing the private practice at his office located in the city of Moca, PR for the last 4 years.
Do you think cannabis education for medical professionals and health care providers is lacking?
Absolutely, there’s lack of education within the healthcare professionals about the topic of medical cannabis. I understand that the right way to actively engage the medical community is by providing them with the most updated information, accurate, complete and from a trustworthy source that can satisfied any kind of doubts, so they can rely the right information to patients whom request education about the topic. This will promote the initiative of educating our patients about the right usage of the products and that by mistake they could obtain access to products out of the medical recommendation.
What kind of cannabis research is needed that has not been covered yet?
I think it is the research when we refer to the appropriate way to manage every individual condition and adapt it to the endocannabinoid system “unknown by most”. As doctors we shall know how to approach our patients who are facing desperation for their medical needs and must know how to differentiate between the recreational use vs. the therapeutic use thus they have a good experience with the treatment.
Where do you see medical cannabis in five (5) years?
In the next five (5) years I see medical cannabis as an important part not only for the conventional medicine and pain management but as great opportunity improving the psychiatric branch. As an adjuvant on emotional management because of the relation with the neurological system, temper behavior and brain function.
