Naturopathic Medicine Overview
WHAT IS NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Naturopathic medicine is a unique type of healthcare because it incorporates both conventional and holistic approaches. Like traditional western medicine, naturopathic doctors make evidence-informed decisions to ensure patients are treated as safely and effectively as possible. A core principle of naturopathic medicine is that there is no-one size-fits-all approach to treating an illness. Because of this, naturopathic doctors utilize a diverse assortment of treatment options.
NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL TRAINING
Naturopathic doctors are trained as primary care providers to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with acute and chronic conditions. Training is completed through a 4-year doctorate program at an accredited school. Educational requirements include completing a total of 301.5 credits, 4100+ hours of clinical instruction, 1200+ hours of direct patient care, and numerous competency evaluations. Year 1&2 focus on basic sciences and clinical diagnosis. Year 3&4 focus on advanced medical topics and hands-on clinical experience with being primarily responsible for patient care under supervision of a licensed medical provider. Training also involves evidence-based natural therapies such as clinical nutrition, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, physical medicine, environmental medicine, and nutraceuticals.
NATUROPATHIC LICENSING
In order to become licensed as a naturopathic doctor you must graduate from a four-year graduate-level program at a naturopathic medical school that is recognized by the US Department of Education, pass two naturopathic physician licensing exams (NPLEX I and II), and meet other additional criteria.
Naturopathic doctors are able to work in both licensed and pre-licensed states. There are currently 26 states that offer licensure to naturopathic doctors with varying scopes of practice. In most licensed states, naturopathic doctors are able to diagnose and treat disease, order labs and imaging, write pharmaceutical prescriptions, and perform minor surgery. Those states that do not offer licensure yet somewhat limit what a naturopathic doctor can do in regards to primary care. Continuing to push for licensure in each state is important for many reasons. Naturopathic doctors receive extensive training as primary care providers and should be able to act as a PCP in each and every state. Licensure for each state helps protect and guarantee that each provider has met education standards and continuing education requirements. It also increases access to more affordable and maintainable healthcare. Naturopathic medicine can help lower health care costs by addressing the root cause of disease, offer less expensive treatments, reduce need for expensive surgical procedures and prescriptions (when appropriate), decrease cost related to adverse drug reactions, lower malpractice insurance therefore patient costs, offer disease prevention, and reduce insurance costs. All of which are very important since the US has the worst and most expensive healthcare systems, in addition to the highest rates of disease burden. Naturopathic medicine helps shift the healthcare perspective from sickness to wellness.
Interested in helping your state or other pre-licensed states become licensed? Take action by going to this link provided: https://naturopathic.org/page/LegislativeActionCenter#/ or reach out to me directly! The Pennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians (https://panaturopathic.com) are currently fighting for legislative rights and could really use your help!
HOW DOES A NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR PRACTICE
Each naturopathic doctor may have a different clinical approach. However they likely follow a similar foundational approach following the 6 principles of naturopathic medicine.
First Do No Harm. This is a core principle to all medical practice. Naturopathic medicine places an emphasis on using the most natural and least invasive therapies to prevent and treat disease. NDs know when to refer to other providers if the patient presents in a way that is outside of their scope or level of skill.
Healing Power of Nature. NDs are highly trained in using natural evidence-based substances whether it is used as a stand-only or adjunctive therapy. NDs recognize the power of nature and its ability to promote healing within our bodies.
Identify and Treat the Causes. Although symptomatic relief may be needed, NDs are trained in viewing your body as a whole and trying to understand why illness may be occurring. There are typically many causes of disease and NDs help people understand and remove any obstacles to cure.
Doctor as Teacher. NDs understand that patient education is key to successful outcomes. Education helps improve patient compliance and build better trust-based relationships between doctor and patient. The education piece is achieved mostly due to longer visits when compared to conventional PCP visits.
Treat the Whole Person. NDs understand that your body works as one united and not as individual parts. Therefore, not just one part, system, or process of the body can be treated to achieve long term success. This holistic approach is done by evaluating your entire health picture and treating both you as a whole and the environment that you are in.
Prevention. Prevention is the most important aspect of naturopathic medicine. NDs teach patients how to achieve healthy lifestyles that will provide long-lasting results.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM SEEING A NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR
There are many individualized approaches naturopathic doctors can take to address your situation. Here are a few examples of what an ND might offer you:
Lifestyle recommendations
Nutritional support
Supplement regimens
Speciality tests
Herbal remedies
Homeopathy
IV therapies and injections
Physical medicine
Hydrotherapy
Pharmaceuticals
Whatever their approach may be, naturopathic medicine uses evidence-based therapies to help you address the underlying cause of your condition(s).
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