A Snapshot of Naturopathic Medicine in Ontario
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) provide both primary health care services and disease prevention counselling.
Naturopathic medicine is a unique and comprehensive approach to improving health and treating illness. NDs support and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself, focusing on prevention and using natural substances and treatments. The primary goal of naturopathic treatment is to address the cause of illnesses, rather than simply treating or suppressing symptoms. In other words, NDs concern themselves with the “why” as well as with the “what” of an illness or disease.
NDs practice a comprehensive approach to treating illnesses and promoting health:
- NDs use natural methods to promote healing.
- While a good deal of what they do is help to alleviate symptoms, NDs are primarily concerned with addressing the root cause of an illness; they focus more on the “why” of a disease than the “what.”
- NDs also help prevent illnesses through lifestyle and nutritional counselling.
- NDs can provide early diagnosis and treatment of many serious diseases.
Additionally, NDs fit very well with the provincial vision for a transformed health care system. NDs are community-based and many are already organized into practice groups with MDs, acupuncturists, chiropractors and other primary health care providers. NDs are both effective and cost-effective.
However, the lack of effective regulation of the profession is preventing NDs from meeting their full potential as partners in primary health care and illness prevention.
In Ontario in January 2008 there were 755 registered NDs, with the OAND representing over 80% of the men and women practicing Naturopathic Medicine in this province.
Only registered NDs are able to practice naturopathic medicine in Ontario.
NDs are currently regulated and providing primary health care services under the Ontario Drugless Practitioners Act but are preparing to transition to regulation under the Regulated Health Professions Act, joining all other regulated health professions.
Ontario’s new Naturopathy Act received final approval in June, 2007 and will come into full effect following an extensive transition process. The Naturopathy Act also confirms the current scope of NDs as primary care practitioners who are able to provide diagnoses and have access to key controlled acts.
Moving NDs into the Regulated Health Professions Act provides more clarity about the regulation of NDs for the increasing number of Ontarians who are choosing complementary healthcare. Just as importantly, this change provides a better foundation for collaboration with other health professions in the care of these patients.
The improved regulation of NDs is occurring at a time when the provincial government is continuing to look for new strategies to respond to the shortage of primary care providers, and to respond to some of the main pressures in health care, including an aging population, chronic diseases, and more flexibility in the use of available care providers.
NDs are currently functioning as primary care providers. With their training and broad scope of practice using scientifically based non-medical therapies, they are often the most appropriate care providers for patients seeking complementary care. The most important potential from the move into the Regulated Health Professions Act will be the improved opportunities for referrals and collaborative care of the patients of other health professions.
Naturopathic training closely parallels medical training, including three years of undergraduate pre-medical sciences, and a four year full-time program focused on preparing clinicians for the challenges of primary care practice. NDs must pass the regulatory board exams, which includes passing NPLEX, a North American standard exam, and maintain their competency by meeting continuing education requirements.
As a result, NDs are highly trained to collaborate with other health care practitioners, and have clear standards of practice that include mandatory consultation and referral for health issues that are beyond their scope of practice. Moving NDs into a common regulatory framework will make it easier for NDs to work collaboratively with other health care professions, including referrals, consults and shared care. This will help patients, particularly those with an interest in complementary care, to receive the most comprehensive and effective care possible. The RHPA also provides the public with more assurance that they are receiving care from a highly educated and regulated health care provider.
Examples of the kinds of referrals NDs commonly receive from MDs include acupuncture to treat infertility or migraines, nutritional therapy for high cholesterol or irritable bowel syndrome, and herbal and lifestyle therapies for allergies and asthma. NDs also receive many referrals for patients with unresponsive chronic conditions. NDs are trained to report back to referring physicians on the progress of care.
Ontarians are taking charge of their health, and many are being drawn to the holistic approach of NDs. Effective regulation of the profession will allow NDs to reach their full potential as partners in primary health care and disease prevention.
