|
NATUROPATHIC TRAINING
Naturopathic Doctors are general practitioners of natural medicine.
Naturopathic doctors obtain comprehensive and rigorous training in an
educational structure similar to that of medical doctors.
Naturopathic doctors require 3 years pre-med
undergraduate education, plus 4 years of full-time study at an approved
college of naturopathic medicine.
The four-year program incorporates basic medical science courses,
clinical sciences and naturopathic therapies, as well as problem-based
approaches to health issues, and 1500 hours of supervised clinical
experience.
The study
of the conventional medical sciences includes:
NDs are trained to perform
physical exams, laboratory testing, nutritional and dietary assessments,
allergy testing, imaging, and other means of diagnosis. Naturopathic
doctors may refer patients to other specialists and health care
providers – including medical doctors for diagnosis and treatment when
indicated.
In Canada , the only accredited college of naturopathic
medicine is the
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
Naturopathic
medicine has an independent accrediting agency, the
Council on
Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), which is the
recognized authority for establishing and maintaining the educational
standards for the profession.
Following the completion of their program, NDs must
successfully complete
Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations
(NPLEX) in order to qualify for licensing in Ontario. NPLEX
is the standard examination used by all regulated provinces and states
across North America .
The profession is regulated by the
Board of Drugless Practitioners
(Naturopathy).
The Ontario provincial association for naturopathic
doctors is the OAND.
The Canadian association is the
CAND.
|
