Naturopathic doctors (NDs) provide an alternative route to conventional medicine. They are specialists in natural medicine and preventative health-care, integrating scientific knowledge with traditional healing wisdom. A naturopathic doctor considers the mind, body and spirit of the person when making a treatment assessment to assist the whole person in maximizing the body’s inherent self-healing capacity.
Nature of the Work
Naturopathic doctors combine the art and science of disease treatment and prevention through the use of natural therapies and gentle hands-on techniques. NDs use safe, gentle, non-invasive therapies which include some or all of the following: Oriental medicine/acupuncture, botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulation and lifestyle counseling and prevention.
see Introduction to Naturopathic Medicine
Each of these contribute to the body’s natural healing process. When the different methods are combined, the healing process is much more effective. Thus, it is important for ND’s to have in-depth knowledge of each healing method which they receive in the four-year full-time naturopathic medical program.
Naturopathic doctors generally spend one and a half hours with a patient on his/her first visit, gathering medical and family history, compiling data on nutritional intake, stress level, daily lifestyle and exercise regime. NDs try to determine the underlying cause of a patient’s symptoms. NDs educate patients and emphasize personal responsibility for one’s health. Each patient is seen as a unique person who requires a customized care plan.
Naturopathic doctors and their patients work together to develop treatment programs, which may include one or more of the natural remedies listed earlier. If the ND sees fit, the patient may be referred to another health-care practitioner.
Working Conditions
As primary health-care practitioners, the majority of ND’s set up private practice. Some work alone, while others share their practice with complementary and conventional practitioners. Work hours are at the discretion of the naturopathic doctor. Unlike medical doctors, NDs are not required to put in hours at a hospital or central clinic. They work their office hours which may extend into the evenings and weekends, depending on personal preference. Some NDs may even provide on-call hours, or perform home visits.
The day-to-day activities of the naturopathic doctor generally are not physically demanding. While taking a patient’s case history, the ND usually sits and stands once the examination process begins. However, the level of physical activity depends on the scope of their practice. For instance, while performing certain leg lifting examinations, the ND may be required to lift a maximum of 20 kilograms. Naturopathic manipulation is also a physically oriented activity.
Preparation Required
To be admitted to the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, one of 2 recognized naturopathic colleges in Canada, candidates must have completed a minimum of three years of full-time study at an accredited university and include in their studies the following prerequisite courses: general biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry and psychology. Only the top applicants proceed to the interview phase, which is based on grade point average calculations and personal statement scores. Interviews last approximately 30 minutes and are conducted by teams of naturopathic doctors, students and staff in Toronto as well as across the country.
The education process at CCNM consists of more than 4,000 hours of classroom training and supervised clinical experience. Instruction includes four years in areas of general medical sciences, diagnosis, naturopathic principles and therapeutics consisting of extensive, supervised clinical experience at the on-site naturopathic college teaching clinic, the largest natural health-care facility in Canada. Once students complete this program, they must pass the external Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) and provincial examinations before establishing a practice.
Naturopathy is more than just a health practice, it is a philosophy and a lifestyle. Only a person who has incorporated this philosophy of health into their lifestyle can offer support and guidance for people who are learning to take a new and more active approach to their health and well-being.
Someone interested in entering the naturopathy field should have many of the same strengths as a
medical doctor. In addition to a strong desire to work with and help others, they should have
the following strengths:
- intellectual capacity
- initiative
- maturity
- tolerance
- the ability to detect and solve problems
- patience
- integrity
- strong ability to communicate and relate to others
Secondary school students should focus on subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, physical health and education and English.
Part-time, summer or volunteer work in a health care setting may provide valuable experience.
Some schools participate in co-op or work/study programs in this and related fields. These programs allow students to learn on-the-job while they remain in school. Ask your guidance counselor for details.
Remuneration
Salaries of naturopathic doctors vary according to the location of the practice, and the number of clinic hours worked. Please contact local sources for accurate wage information.
Employment, Advancement, Outlook
As the general practitioners of natural medicine, naturopathic doctors are in one of the fastest growing areas of health today.
Most naturopathic doctors work alone or in partnership with other health-care professionals such as registered massage therapists, chiropractors, and medical doctors at a private clinic.
Many extended health care plans cover visits to naturopathic doctors; however, this depends on both the province and the plan. Increasingly, opportunities exist in research and development and marketing for national companies. Additional opportunities for naturopathic doctors include:
- teaching
- public education
- consulting for industry
- government relations
Related Careers
Careers requiring similar interests and skills include:
- Chiropractor
- Chiropodist
- Orthoptist
- Physician
- Nurse
- Kinesiologist
- Osteopath
Additional and/or alternative training may be required.
For more info, contact www.ccnm.edu .