What type of education and training do Naturopathic Doctors receive?
Licensed naturopathic physicians (NDs) attend four-year graduate-level naturopathic medical schools and are educated in all of the same basic sciences as medical doctors (MDs), but also study holistic and non-toxic approaches to treatment with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum (anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, pharmacology, etc.), naturopathic physicians are required to complete extensive training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, psychology, and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health), and must complete at least two years of hands-on clinical training under the direct supervision of naturopathic physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals. A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician.
What role can a naturopathic physician play in my healthcare?
Naturopathic physicians can serve in either of two roles:
- Your primary medical provider, much like a family doctor or internist; or
- An expert consultant in natural medicine working alongside your primary medical provider and the other doctors who treat you.