Frequently asked questions
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease.
Symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body, and unfavourable lifestyle habits. Naturopathic Medicine emphasizes disease as a process rather than as an entity. In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, natural therapies including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation and traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, may also be used during treatments.
In Canada, the naturopathic medical profession’s infrastructure includes accredited naturopathic medical programs, standardized North American Board Exams (NPLEX) and jurisdictional exams, national standards of practice and, regulation in five provinces to date.
The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and to treat the root cause of disease. For many patients, this difference in approach to health provides them with a new perspective and awareness. By addressing the root cause(s) of disease and through the appropriate use of natural therapies many patients with chronic illness have found tremendous benefits.
There are typically three types of patients that seek naturopathic medical care:
1) Patients that are looking for health promotion and disease prevention strategies. Individuals that recognize that health doesn’t just happen by chance, that it is a lifelong process that involves a clear understanding of the factors that affect health and how to deal with them on a daily basis.
2) Patients that have a range of symptoms that they have been unable to address on their own or with the help of other medical practitioners. With Naturopathic medicine’s broad understanding of health and the relationship between health, life and the environment naturopathic doctors are often able to offer patients a new perspective and provide safe and effective ways to restore health.
3) Patients that have been diagnosed with an illness and are looking for treatment options. Naturopathic medicine is very effective in improving quality of life for those with serious and life threatening illnesses. It is used extensively and effectively for those patients that are looking to combine conventional and naturopathic treatments with the aim of minimizing side effects to drugs, surgery or conventional treatments.
No. Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) and Medical Doctors (MDs) are not the same, but they are both regulated healthcare professionals with distinct training, scopes of practice, and areas of focus.
Naturopathic Doctors complete a four-year, graduate-level medical program after an undergraduate degree, with training in biomedical sciences, clinical diagnosis, and evidence-informed treatment approaches. The naturopathic scope emphasizes prevention, root-cause assessment, lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and supporting the body’s systems to function optimally. Scope of practice and prescribing authority vary by jurisdiction.
Medical Doctors complete medical school followed by residency training and are trained primarily in the diagnosis and management of disease, acute care, and hospital-based medicine. They play a central role in acute, primary and emergency care, surgery, and pharmaceutical management.
These professions are best understood as complementary rather than interchangeable. Many patients benefit from having both an ND and an MD involved in their care. I frequently collaborate with family physicians, specialists, and allied healthcare providers to ensure care is coordinated, appropriate, and patient-centred.
Naturopathic medical schools require a 4-year bachelor's degree for admission into the 7 accredited naturopathic colleges in North America. These must also include prerequisite credits in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, humanities, and other courses depending on the school.
The curriculum at a naturopathic medical college consists of 4 years of biomedical sciences and conventional sciences along with naturopathic modalities. Naturopathic students also must complete 2 sets of licensing exams (NPLEX) and provincial/state board exams in order to be fully licensed as a naturopathic physician.
Bottom line is that licensed naturopathic physicians get a minimum 8 years of post-secondary education and training to be eligible for licensure.
Dr. Fung has completed his bachelors and naturopathic training, and as went on to additional training for the sake of learning. He has obtained a master's degree and is now working on his PhD, as well as additional certificates focused in functional medicine, cognitive health and dementia, and prescribing authority.
Yes. Naturopathic physicians are a self-regulated profession like medical doctors, and the regulatory body is The College of Complementary Healthcare Practitioners of British Columbia (CCHPBC). Naturopathic Physicians are required complete a strict medical education and to pass licensing exams in order to practice in BC. They are also required to obtain regular continuing education hours in order to maintain their license.