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