What the Public Thinks About Naturopathic Medicine

A random, representative sampling of more than 600 Ontario adults done in mid-March 2006 showed
that Ontarians hold the following views about naturopathic doctors (NDs) and naturopathic medicine (NM) in general:

71% of Ontarians say NM is a legitimate option for healthcare; less than 20% do not.
Nearly 20% of Ontarians have already used the services of an ND.
40% of Ontario residents – or five million potential patients - said they would use an ND’s services in the future if / when they know more about NDs’ education and training and scope of practice:

72% are likely to use an ND’s physical medicine services;

59% would use clinical nutrition in the future;

53% would use prevention and lifestyle counselling; and

50% would use herbal medicines.

Only 47% of these respondents would use homeopathic medicine and only 35% would use Traditional Chinese Medicine and /or acupuncture.
Between 80% and 90% (depending on the specific question) of Ontarians say it is very important to public safety to allow only licensed and regulated naturopathic doctors (those who have graduated from an accredited institution, who have passed licensing exams and who remain in good standing
with the regulatory board) to call themselves a naturopathic doctor.
62% of respondents say that licensed NDs should have the right to call themselves “Doctor.”