Frequently Asked Questions
1. What sort of training do Naturopathic Doctors have?
Naturopathic doctors obtain comprehensive training in a structure similar to medical doctors and have a minimum of 7 years of post-secondary education. An undergraduate university degree is required before entry into a 4 year naturopathic medicine program at an accredited school. In Canada there are only two accredited programs; The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) located in Toronto and The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine located in Vancouver. Naturopathic doctors must successfully pass 2 phases of Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX), a standardized examination used by all regulated provinces and states across North America and then pass a provincial licensing exam for their regulatory board.
2. Are Naturopathic Doctors regulated in Ontario? What does this mean?
Naturopathic Doctors are the only regulated health professionals in the field of natural medicine in Ontario. Naturopathic Doctors are regulated in Ontario under the 1925 Drugless Therapy Act and are registered (licensed) by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy-Naturopathy (BDDT-N). The BDDT-N functions to ensure that Naturopathic Doctors are properly qualified to practice Naturopathic Medicine and that they follow the appropriate standards of practice. They protect the well being of the citizens of Ontario. Ontario’s new Naturopathy Act received final approval in June 2007 and will come into full effect following an extensive transition process. The Naturopathy Act will move the regulation of Naturopathic Doctors under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), joining all other regulated health professions. The Naturopathy Act also confirms the current scope of NDs as primary care practitioners who are able to provide diagnoses and have access to key controlled acts.
3. How do I determine who a real Naturopathic Doctor is versus some other 'natural therapists/healers/doctors?'
The easiest way to determine who is registered Naturopathic Doctor in your area would be to contact the BDDT-N. They are the regulatory board of Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario. The designation N.D., Naturopath, Naturopathic Doctor, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Naturopathic Physician, and Naturopathic Practitioner are all appropriate titles for a registered Naturopathic doctor who has obtained proper medical training from an accredited college. Anyone else who does not have N.D. in their credentials is not a Naturopathic Doctor.
4. What can I expect during my first few appointments at a Naturopathic Doctor's office?
The ND will discuss in detail about your concern, personal and family medical history, diet, sleep and other factors relating to health.
A general screening physical exam will be conducted to help with diagnosis. If you have copies of blood work, x-rays, or any other lab work, please bring these with you to the first appointment. Also bring a list or better yet, the actual bottles of all medications and supplements that you are currently taking so the Naturopathic Doctor can assess for nutritional deficiencies and to know potential drug/herb interactions.
5. Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by OHIP or Health benefits plans or tax deductible?
Naturopathic Medicine in not covered by OHIP, but is covered under many extended health benefit plans. The consultations with the doctor are covered, however, laboratory tests, nutritional supplements and other health products are not.
If you DO NOT have health insurance, you are able to claim the vists (when provided by an ND in Ontario) as “medical expenses” that can be claimed in the “Medical Expense and Disability Tax Credits and Attendant Care Expense Deduction” section of your tax returns.
All you need is to submit the receipt with your taxes, no extra paperwork is required by the ND.
6. What is the difference between a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and a Medical Doctor (MD)?
Both ND’s and MD’s are required to obtain at minimum of a 3 year undergraduate degree followed by 4 years of medical training in primary health care. The main difference is the course of treatment. MD’s are trained to use pharmaceutical agents and surgery to treat the patient’s symptoms where as a ND is trained to examine the patient as a whole and remove the root cause for the patient’s symptoms. ND’s and MD’s have the opportunity to integrate their therapies to provide the patient with the best course of treatment and care, which provides optimal health care.
7. What is the difference between Naturopathic Medicine and Homeopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Doctors are general practitioners of naturopathic medicine using diet, nutrition, botanicals, acupuncture/Asian medicine, homeopathic medicine, lifestyle counselling, and physical therapy. Homeopathic Doctors are trained to use one discipline, homeopathic medicine. Naturopathic Doctors may use a variety of natural therapies that may also include homeopathic medicine as part of their treatment protocol. Currently, Naturopathic Doctors are regulated and licensed in Ontario, whereas Homeopathic Doctors are not.
Naturopathic doctors obtain comprehensive training in a structure similar to medical doctors and have a minimum of 7 years of post-secondary education. An undergraduate university degree is required before entry into a 4 year naturopathic medicine program at an accredited school. In Canada there are only two accredited programs; The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) located in Toronto and The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine located in Vancouver. Naturopathic doctors must successfully pass 2 phases of Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX), a standardized examination used by all regulated provinces and states across North America and then pass a provincial licensing exam for their regulatory board.
2. Are Naturopathic Doctors regulated in Ontario? What does this mean?
Naturopathic Doctors are the only regulated health professionals in the field of natural medicine in Ontario. Naturopathic Doctors are regulated in Ontario under the 1925 Drugless Therapy Act and are registered (licensed) by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy-Naturopathy (BDDT-N). The BDDT-N functions to ensure that Naturopathic Doctors are properly qualified to practice Naturopathic Medicine and that they follow the appropriate standards of practice. They protect the well being of the citizens of Ontario. Ontario’s new Naturopathy Act received final approval in June 2007 and will come into full effect following an extensive transition process. The Naturopathy Act will move the regulation of Naturopathic Doctors under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), joining all other regulated health professions. The Naturopathy Act also confirms the current scope of NDs as primary care practitioners who are able to provide diagnoses and have access to key controlled acts.
3. How do I determine who a real Naturopathic Doctor is versus some other 'natural therapists/healers/doctors?'
The easiest way to determine who is registered Naturopathic Doctor in your area would be to contact the BDDT-N. They are the regulatory board of Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario. The designation N.D., Naturopath, Naturopathic Doctor, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Naturopathic Physician, and Naturopathic Practitioner are all appropriate titles for a registered Naturopathic doctor who has obtained proper medical training from an accredited college. Anyone else who does not have N.D. in their credentials is not a Naturopathic Doctor.
4. What can I expect during my first few appointments at a Naturopathic Doctor's office?
The ND will discuss in detail about your concern, personal and family medical history, diet, sleep and other factors relating to health.
A general screening physical exam will be conducted to help with diagnosis. If you have copies of blood work, x-rays, or any other lab work, please bring these with you to the first appointment. Also bring a list or better yet, the actual bottles of all medications and supplements that you are currently taking so the Naturopathic Doctor can assess for nutritional deficiencies and to know potential drug/herb interactions.
5. Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by OHIP or Health benefits plans or tax deductible?
Naturopathic Medicine in not covered by OHIP, but is covered under many extended health benefit plans. The consultations with the doctor are covered, however, laboratory tests, nutritional supplements and other health products are not.
If you DO NOT have health insurance, you are able to claim the vists (when provided by an ND in Ontario) as “medical expenses” that can be claimed in the “Medical Expense and Disability Tax Credits and Attendant Care Expense Deduction” section of your tax returns.
All you need is to submit the receipt with your taxes, no extra paperwork is required by the ND.
6. What is the difference between a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and a Medical Doctor (MD)?
Both ND’s and MD’s are required to obtain at minimum of a 3 year undergraduate degree followed by 4 years of medical training in primary health care. The main difference is the course of treatment. MD’s are trained to use pharmaceutical agents and surgery to treat the patient’s symptoms where as a ND is trained to examine the patient as a whole and remove the root cause for the patient’s symptoms. ND’s and MD’s have the opportunity to integrate their therapies to provide the patient with the best course of treatment and care, which provides optimal health care.
7. What is the difference between Naturopathic Medicine and Homeopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Doctors are general practitioners of naturopathic medicine using diet, nutrition, botanicals, acupuncture/Asian medicine, homeopathic medicine, lifestyle counselling, and physical therapy. Homeopathic Doctors are trained to use one discipline, homeopathic medicine. Naturopathic Doctors may use a variety of natural therapies that may also include homeopathic medicine as part of their treatment protocol. Currently, Naturopathic Doctors are regulated and licensed in Ontario, whereas Homeopathic Doctors are not.
Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic doctors are primary care providers who emphasize disease prevention and promote health and wellness. They are guided by six fundamental healing principles:
First do no harm: Using therapies and medicines that minimize the risk of harmful side effects; using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat; and acknowledging, respecting and working with the individual self-healing process.
Identify and treat the cause: Identifying and removing the underlying causes of illness, rather than suppressing symptoms.
Doctor as teacher: Sharing knowledge with patients and inspiring responsibility for individual health.
Treat the whole person: In addition to addressing specific concerns, the physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors contributing to the health of each individual patient are thoroughly considered for customization treatment protocols.
Emphasize prevention: Working with each patient to assess risk factors and recommend appropriate naturopathic interventions to maintain health and prevent illness.
Support the healing power of the body: By recognizing and removing obstacles to the body's inherent self-healing process.
First do no harm: Using therapies and medicines that minimize the risk of harmful side effects; using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat; and acknowledging, respecting and working with the individual self-healing process.
Identify and treat the cause: Identifying and removing the underlying causes of illness, rather than suppressing symptoms.
Doctor as teacher: Sharing knowledge with patients and inspiring responsibility for individual health.
Treat the whole person: In addition to addressing specific concerns, the physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors contributing to the health of each individual patient are thoroughly considered for customization treatment protocols.
Emphasize prevention: Working with each patient to assess risk factors and recommend appropriate naturopathic interventions to maintain health and prevent illness.
Support the healing power of the body: By recognizing and removing obstacles to the body's inherent self-healing process.