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Profile of a Profession: Naturopathic Practice - Center for the Health ...

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UCSF <strong>Center</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essions<br />

k. Physical medicine<br />

l. Psycho<strong>the</strong>rapy and counseling<br />

m. S<strong>of</strong>t tissue manipulation<br />

n. Surgery<br />

o. Use <strong>of</strong> appropriate pharmacological agents<br />

(AANP, 1998)<br />

The schools <strong>the</strong>mselves as well as each person training to be a naturopathic physician must assess<br />

whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> education and assessment model matches <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional scope <strong>of</strong> practice.<br />

Table 11 presents in<strong>for</strong>mation about <strong>the</strong> schools that provide education and training <strong>for</strong> naturopathic<br />

physicians. It includes academic prerequisites <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> programs, short synopses <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> curricula, length<br />

<strong>of</strong> programs, descriptions <strong>of</strong> internships required <strong>for</strong> programs, if <strong>the</strong>y exist, and degrees or certificates<br />

awarded upon completion or graduation (<strong>for</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation about number <strong>of</strong> students, see Table 3 above).<br />

As shown in Table 11, most schools <strong>of</strong> naturopathic medicine are residential (students attend classes<br />

and labs in person) and have rigorous four-year academic programs. <strong>Naturopathic</strong> medical students are<br />

required to spend a significant number <strong>of</strong> hours interning at a naturopathic medicine clinic. It is not<br />

required at this point, but if an individual wishes to gain more clinical experience after graduation, he<br />

or she may enter a naturopathic postdoctoral residency program. The National College <strong>of</strong> <strong>Naturopathic</strong><br />

Medicine, <strong>for</strong> example, <strong>of</strong>fers residency positions at affiliate clinics and private practices. It is com-<br />

monly accepted that at least one year <strong>of</strong> postgraduate medical education and training is needed be<strong>for</strong>e<br />

naturopathic physicians begin a practice. In order to qualify <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> residency program, individuals must<br />

have graduated from an institution accredited by <strong>the</strong> CNME and, in most cases, must be licensed prior<br />

to commencement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> assigned residency (National College <strong>of</strong> <strong>Naturopathic</strong> Medicine, 2000). All<br />

residencies <strong>of</strong>fered to graduating students are supervised by licensed naturopathic physicians and are<br />

available on a limited basis. At present, Utah is <strong>the</strong> only state requiring a one-year residency prior to<br />

obtaining a license (Utah Code § 58-71-302, 2000).<br />

42 Chapter One: <strong>Naturopathic</strong> Medicine

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