Mercy Hospital's Definition of Naturopathy: MD Diagnosis, alternative treatment.

I was very pleasantly surprised by Mercy Hospital's lovely discussion of CAM.  I like their definition of Naturopathy, which is succinct if a little inaccurate.  Generally we spend an great deal more time diagnosing than what is allowed by a fifteen minute office visit.  We also tend to try and link different body symptoms together:  chronic tension and upset stomach, insomnia and foot pain, etc. 

I've compiled a definition of Naturopathy under What in the World is a Naturopath?  It gives the scope of Naturopathy in comparison to MDs and DOs. 

Differentiating between Naturopaths and Naturopathic Physicians.

For anyone not involved in the field, it can be incredibly difficult to differentiate the relative training and authenticity of degrees within alternative medicine.  Let me say that within all of medicine, it matters far more how ethical the person is than what degree they have. We all know stories of top ranked surgeons who have failed to practice ethically, and relative laypeople provide the backbone of much of our hospice and homecare structures.  So the degree doesn't matter in one sense.  But in another sense it really does matter, especially when it becomes the focus. 

Here's the information on Robert Theil.  "He is not a medical doctor, but is registered as a naturopath by the Federal District of Columbia, licensed as a Naturopath by the State of North Carolina, licensed as a Naturopathic Scientist by the State of Alabama and is licensed as a Naturopathic Physician by Bingham County, Idaho." 

Wow!  So if I were anyone other than who I am, I would think this guy is a naturopathic doctor, same as doc maloney.  Well, no.  Every place that he lists happens to not require a four year degree, boards, etc.  So he didn't go to Naturopathic medical school.  It doesn't mean he's a bad person, just that he's not licensed. 

In fact, the organization that Robert Thiel is a major member of, the American Naturopathic Medical Association, is the one fighting licensing and the medicalization of Naturopathy.  That's right, the ANMA is against the licensure of N.D.s  They run a program where you get a correspondence degree when you are board certified by the American Naturopathic Medical Certification and Accreditation Board.  Yep, they are board certified, not licensed.  It's kind of the cart without the horse, and if it seems confusing, it's meant to be.  It is this confusion, and the layering on of degrees without depth, that truly bothers me.  I have one degree, from one state, and it is more comprehensive than I can hope to master in my lifetime.  I can't imagine trying to fully master a variety of degrees from a variety of states. 

So a traditional Naturopath like Robert Thiel is not to be confused with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (http://www.naturopathic.org/) which is the professional group advocating for the licensure of N.D.s.  We all get licensed, and practice medicine, which includes diagnosing and treating disease.  In Maine, I do not use the term physician, but the term Naturopathic Doctor.  See http://maloneynd.tripod.com/naturopathicmaine/  But I was trained in Oregon, where we are Naturopathic Physicians. 

Now, I also saw a nice looking book from an English Naturopath, and I have no idea of her relative level of qualification.  It just shows the level of knowledge necessary to differentiate.  But it also matters what people do it their practices.  So, to show that differentiating does not mean discarding, have a look at both their books. 

What is Naturopathy?

We got a lovely write up ages ago in a Portland based online news outlet and I missed it.  So here it is if you've got loads of time on your hands and/or care deeply about how Naturopathic Medicine is presented in the press. 

I love it when we get any sort of news mention, although I would say that our history is simplified to the point of being wrong.  It as if we were generated by a single individual rather than being a conglomeration of various influences including the U.S. eclectic movement. 

My own struggle continues to be how we can all be theoretically doing the same thing when clearly I'm not engaging in a number of the major fads sweeping through the profession right now.  I suppose it will all come back to diet and lifestyle as a basis eventually.