Dr. Janine Fraser, ND: There's more to naturopathic medicine than recent controversies
Dr. Janine Fraser More from Dr. Janine Fraser
Updated: April 7, 2019 9:23 PM PDT
Naturopaths meet at a wellness fair. Graham Hughes / Graham Hughes/The Gazette
If you have heard anything in the media recently about naturopathic medicine, the odds are it hasn't been positive.
There have been stories about allegedly anti-vaccination naturopaths and, before that, a naturopath in Victoria who treated a child for aggressive behaviour with lyssinum — a homeopathic product made from rabid dog saliva.
But naturopaths are not anti-vaccination, nor do we accept bizarre remedies that lack science-based evidence.
In the Victoria case, the B.C. Naturopathic Association filed a complaint against that naturopath — who was not a member of our organization — with our regulator, the College of Naturopathic Physicians of B.C. It resulted in her leaving the profession.
If that case is all you know about naturopathic medicine, it's unfortunate, because naturopaths have been recognized and regulated in B.C. since 1923 under the Medical Act.
Naturopathic medicine takes a different approach than conventional medicine, focusing more on the cause and prevention of disease than simply prescribing medicine, though that can be essential.
The approach is welcome. Two-thirds of British Columbians believe that "naturopathic doctors (NDs) provide an important complementary service to conventional medicine," according to a 2018 Insights West poll. A third of B.C. families have consulted an ND.
But negative media reports may lead some to wrongly think that naturopaths oppose vaccinations. In fact, an increasing number of naturopathic doctors are certified to administer vaccines for measles and similar preventable illnesses, while others, such as myself, are training to.
As a naturopath, I recently attended the B.C. Centres for Disease Control's immunization forum, joining hundreds of other health professionals from a variety of backgrounds to learn about all aspects of immunization of patients.
Clear and comprehensible communications is one of the most vital issues the forum discussed. The recent measles outbreak certainly illustrated the lack of enough public understanding that immunization stops preventable, serious and potentially fatal illnesses.
NDs have an important role to play with other health professionals in ensuring that children, adults, the elderly and others at risk are immunized. That's why the BCCDC's vaccination training programs qualify for continuing education credits with the College of Naturopathic Physicians of B.C.
But there's much more naturopaths can do for their patients.
There are three areas where changes would let NDs provide more service to patients and reduce pressure on B.C.'s health care system.
First, in urban areas, naturopaths can access medical labs and diagnostic testing to determine a patient's illness or condition. In many rural and semi-rural areas without private medical labs, only medical doctors can order tests.
Since naturopathic patients or health insurance plans pay the cost of tests and there is no cost to government, allowing NDs to order tests would provide hospital labs with additional income. Polling found that 72 per cent of respondents agreed with this change.
Second, NDs' regulations permit the use of x-rays or ultrasound for patients but not MRIs, CT scans or EEGs. Instead, their patients must visit a general practitioner or specialist to order tests, adding to the backlog to see a GP. This only adds costs to public health care and could easily be changed so NDs could order tests to be reimbursed by extended health insurance.
Third, the federal government regulates some drugs NDs can prescribe, including hormones and pain medications but there are large gaps in coverage. At the same time, other B.C. medical professionals such as midwives, nurse practitioners and podiatrists are allowed to prescribe, administer and provide such drugs and treatments if permitted under provincial legislation.
B.C. could request that Ottawa include NDs with the other practitioners, giving patients more options at no extra cost to taxpayers.
Overall, naturopathic physicians have faced many challenges since being recognized and regulated in 1923. We have not only survived but prospered as more patients look for different ways to find a path to better health.
Dr. Janine Fraser, ND is president of the B.C. Naturopathic Association and a licensed naturopathic doctor in Victoria.
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