what exactly are naturopaths doing?

[Guest guest]

i got a call from someone who stated she was a naturopath, wanting to

buy my exam table, referring to it as a " pelvic table " , and

specifically inquiring if it had " stirrups " (i was taught to say " heel

cups " ), and further inquiring about any speculums and associated

equipment. i realize i could have just plain asked her if she was

doing gynecologic exams, but i didn't; when i did talk with her, she

was doing some type of pm shift, and couldn't talk.

my question: are naturopaths (and others, eg chiropractors?) doing

gynecologic exams? if so, how is this possible?

LL

[Guest guest]

So unfortunately there is huge misunderstanding about naturopathic physicians. Part of this is because of the variations between states as commented on below. If interested, I can provide specifics about differences from state to state and more details about the training and practices of our counterparts in outpatient medicine.

I am fortunate to work in Washington state where naturopathic physicians are licensed physicians who practice well respected outpatient care with very little difference in their primary care diagnostic approach from MDs (ie they do paps, WCC, sports physicals, all normal diagnostic exams--labs/imaging etc. and are licensed to write almost all prescription medicines). Their training comprises of 4-5 years of medical school with many similar courses as provided in our medical schools. And while as a group they unfortunately do not have funding provided to them as we do for regular residency programs, some privately funded residency programs do exist.

My IMP is composed of myself and my two partners, both of whom are NDs. We share care for most of our patients. In fact, NDs have been doing the IMP model for years and years and have much to offer our world for both the business and medical components of IMP type medicine. I am extremely passionate that a collaboration between our two groups, MDs and NDs, with a focus on strong patient centered primary care medicine, is the way of the future. Just as I am equally passionate regarding strengthening primary care and reenergizing our field by working in and educating others about IMP practice type models. I have huge respect for the medicine of my collegues and realize that the tools they bring to the table compliment and enhance those that I bring.

enthusiastically (but always with limited spelling skills)

Weakland MD

Ballard Neighborhood Doctors

Seattle, WA

Subject: Re: what exactly are naturopaths doing?To: Date: Saturday, December 6, 2008, 4:13 PM

My understanding is that Naturopaths, or "Naturopathic doctors" may be licensed in some states to do some things. They do not have a doctorate in anything(unless outside the naturopathic field), it is I believe very unlikely they will be doing pelvic exams. Well, perhaps an exam, but no testing likes Paps, STD, and stuff. Who is the naturopath in our group here? He is from NY state, New Paltz? Newburgh?

From: llyonmd <llyonmdyahoo (DOT) com>To: Practiceimprovement 1yahoogroups (DOT) comSent: Saturday, December 6, 2008 12:34:01 PMSubject: [Practiceimprovemen t1] what exactly are naturopaths doing?

i got a call from someone who stated she was a naturopath, wanting tobuy my exam table, referring to it as a "pelvic table", andspecifically inquiring if it had "stirrups" (i was taught to say "heelcups"), and further inquiring about any speculums and associatedequipment. i realize i could have just plain asked her if she wasdoing gynecologic exams, but i didn't; when i did talk with her, shewas doing some type of pm shift, and couldn't talk.my question: are naturopaths (and others, eg chiropractors? ) doinggynecologic exams? if so, how is this possible?LL

[Guest guest]

Yep, here in Colorado, anyone can take a 6-8 week course

and then call themselves a naturopath or ND. Pretty scary – the state’s

policy is ‘caveat emptor’ (buyer beware). One very

respectable ND has tried for years to get Colorado to regulate this, but he has been

severely shot down (and they’ve tried to run him out of the state)

because of it. Sad.

A. Eads, M.D.

Pinnacle Family Medicine, PLLC

phone fax

P.O.

Box 7275

Woodland

Park, CO 80863

www.PinnacleFamilyMedicine.com

From:

[mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Kathy Saradarian

Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008

9:01 PM

To:

Subject: RE:

Re: what exactly are naturopaths doing?

Apparently, this is not the same everywhere. I found this

in Wikipedia:

Professional titles used by NDs in

North America

Although all graduates from accredited naturopathic

medical schools may use the academic title " Doctor of Naturopathic

Medicine " and the abbreviation " ND " , there is no standardized

professional title in use in North America.

Jurisdictions that regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine legally

require the use of various professional titles. All of the following may be

used in regulated jurisdictions to signify an ND who has received a Doctor of

Naturopathic Medicine degree from a four year CNME accredited school:[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

· Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine - Arizona,

New Hampshire, Utah,

Washington, Minnesota,

British Columbia.

· Doctor of Naturopathy - Oregon, Manitoba.

· Naturopathic Doctor - Alaska, California, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia.

· Naturopathic Physician - District of Columbia,

Hawaii, Idaho,

Montana, Oregon,

Utah, Vermont,

British Columbia, Saskatchewan.

· Naturopath - Connecticut.

· Doctor in Naturopathy - Puerto Rico[12]

· Doctor en Naturopatia - Puerto Rico[13]

In some unregulated jurisdictions anyone may call

themselves an ND or use any of the titles above, regardless of training. In

other unregulated regions, no one may use these professional titles, especially

if the word 'Doctor' is strictly controlled, or if naturopathic medicine itself

is illegal (as it is in South Carolina[14],

and Tennessee[15]).

Kathy Saradarian, MD

Branchville, NJ

www.qualityfamilypractice.com

Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90

Practice Partner 5/03

Low staffing

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of yogievanh

Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008

10:38 PM

To:

Subject:

Re: what exactly are naturopaths doing?

Naturopaths

(esp. in WA and OR) are trained as PCPs. it's definitely

in their scope of practice. in Olympia,

we have NDs who specialize in

women care. they're licensed to do IV therapy in OR and more recently

in WA.

Evan in Olympia, WA

>

> i got a call from someone who stated she was a naturopath, wanting to

> buy my exam table, referring to it as a " pelvic table " , and

> specifically inquiring if it had " stirrups " (i was taught to say

" heel

> cups " ), and further inquiring about any speculums and associated

> equipment. i realize i could have just plain asked her if she was

> doing gynecologic exams, but i didn't; when i did talk with her, she

> was doing some type of pm shift, and couldn't talk.

> my question: are naturopaths (and others, eg chiropractors?) doing

> gynecologic exams? if so, how is this possible?

> LL

>