What about
medical licenses?
Licensure
and license eligibility are major factors the health consumer should consider
when selecting a naturopathic medical care provider. The licensure boards in this
country
are charged by state legislatures to set standards of education, examination,
character fitness, and other criteria for certifying suitability of the
applicants for a
medical
license. The purpose of these boards is
to protect public safety and regulate
the
practice of naturopathic medicine.
Unfortunately, not all states provide for
naturopathic license. This means anyone can
practice as a naturopath in unlicensed states, risking only the possible
violation of state law regarding the practice of medicine.
Naturopathic
medicine is about 100 years old. Its
founder, Benjamin Lust, MD
practiced
general medicine in the state of
preventive approach to medical care was stimulated in part by his trips to
European
health
spas. He established much of the
European emphasis on nature cure, nutrition,
and
hydrotherapy as the foundation for naturopathic practice and treatment. Lust’s approach to the practice of medicine, augmented
with natural therapeutics from several health care disciplines, evolved into a
distinct branch of medicine practiced by several hundred practitioners and
schools throughout
· over 10,000 doctors attended naturopathic medical
conventions,
· there were over 20 naturopathic medical colleges, and
· a majority of states licensed naturopathic medical
doctors.
Naturopathic
medicine experienced a decline during the 1930s and 1940s due to the
rise of
pharmaceutical drugs, technology, and the concept that drugs could eliminate
all disease. Many of the old time
naturopaths passed away and new physicians primarily studied at the
conventional medical institutions that became dominant in
In
1956, National College of Naturopathic Medicine came into being. It is the
oldest institution in continuous operation for the instruction of naturopathic
medical doctors.
most
recent naturopathic medical school. All
of these institutions provide accredited postgraduate degrees that are accepted
by the Committee on Naturopathic Medical Education (“CNME”), a program accreditor for naturopathic medical degrees and a
body of
the America Association of Naturopathic Physicians that functions in
co-operation with the US Department of Education as institutional accreditors.
The growth of these educational institutions and the resurgence of the
profession are due to the increased interest of health-conscious consumers in
alternatives as well as
the
increasingly apparent limitations and problems associated with conventional
medical
care delivery.
An applicant for licensure in the
medical
and clinical sciences of the medical school curriculum. Upon passing the examinations, the applicant
applies to a jurisdiction for licensure.
Each of the
jurisdictions has a licensing board. The
license requirements as well as scopes of naturopathic medical practice vary in
each one.
Naturopathic modalities as well as allopathic modalities all have risk
associated with
the
inappropriate diagnosis and application of treatment. While naturopathic
medicine strives to use non-toxic, harmless methods of treatment, the absences
of education and licensure can become a serious health risk for the
consumer. An accurate diagnosis
and
application of treatment for any medical issue is paramount to assuring the
health
care of
the consumer. Licensing is an effective method of assuring safety and quality
medical care.
The State of
practice
medicine. I am a primary care physician
with a specialization in naturopathic medicine.
In addition to utilizing natural therapeutics, I also use conventional
treatments such as minor surgery and legend pharmaceutical prescriptions when
appropriate and most efficacious. I
attempt to integrate my medical care closely with the cooperation
of
conventional medical and osteopathic physicians.
The State of
Bottom
line: I provide comprehensive medical care specific to the individual’s total
health
care needs.