Bastyr University(January 2008) - What’s new in the world of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)?
1 Naturopathic med school clinics looked to as model of care.
A November 2007 article in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine calls on the naturopathic doctor (ND) community to address poverty in its distinctive way to serve the medically underserved. The authors pose that naturopathic medicine’s holistic orientation and focus on prevention offer unique strengths to the complex problems of health care for low-income patients. They further suggest that NDs begin offering the same community service model currently provided at the low-cost teaching clinics of Bastyr University, NCNM, SCNM and UB. Annually, thousands visit these clinics, some of which are often utilized by individuals who would otherwise forego medical care. Read the entire editorial “Poverty and Human Development: The Social Responsibility of the Naturopathic Physician.”
2 Cancer trends report reveals progress.
The National Cancer Institute published some of their major findings in “Cancer Trends Progress Report – 2007 Update.” They report that death rates for the four most common cancers (prostate, breast, lung and colorectal), as well as for all cancers combined, continue to decline. Cancer treatment is also improving – saving lives and extending survival for many cancer patients – with clinical trials being the major avenue for discovering, developing and evaluating new therapies. Scientists estimate that as many as 50-75 percent of cancer deaths in the United States are caused by human behaviors such as smoking, physical inactivity and poor dietary choices. These findings directly lend themselves to both clinical research and preventive medicine, both typically practiced by NDs as two key parts of the health care solution. Read the progress report.
3 Death of teen prompts Seattle Times to expose “energy medicine” credential mills.
Strengthening the case for accreditation, the Seattle Times has investigated a teen's death believed to be hastened by an “energy medicine” practitioner with a bogus diploma. The news story sheds light on the danger of unaccredited naturopathic schools and their certificate programs. The Times reports: "’Naturopathic doctor’ is one of the most coveted credentials in alternative medicine. Fourteen states and [four Canadian provinces] consider naturopathy a licensed profession and require degrees and clinical training through four-year colleges accredited by the US Department of Education. But, in [the other states and provinces], naturopathy is not considered a government-regulated profession. In those states [and provinces], anyone can call him or herself a naturopathic doctor with no training.” The report exposed some ‘credential mills’ that offer mail-order health-care credentials. Organizations such as the American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA) and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), for example, provide easy-access, low-cost memberships to both practitioners and to some schools. Each claims 4,000 plus members, with memberships selling for approximately $250-350 each. Read the news story.
4 AANMC’s own Dr. Paul Mittman awarded 2007 AANP Physician of the Year.
Paul Mittman, ND, was named the 2007 Physician of the Year by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) in August. President/CEO of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) and current president of the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC), Mittman attended the National College of Natural Medicine, earning his ND accreditation in 1985. He completed a two-year residency and later directed research on natural therapies at NCNM. Congratulations on the award come from Peter Swanz, ND, a former student of Dr. Mittman: “It is truly an honor and only slightly begins to recognize all of the hard work he has contributed to the profession as both a healer and diplomat in support of licensure and standards of education. I was blessed to spend time with Dr. Mittman on shifts at the SCNM teaching clinic.” Read more about Dr. Mittman.
5 Naturopathic Medical Student Association (NMSA) reaches 500 members.
NMSA, whose mission is to represent the interests of naturopathic physicians-in-training, held its first annual elections in the fall of 2007, as well as a World AIDS Awareness Day at each member school in December 2007. The organization also holds annual spring parties at each school and an annual national conference in the summer. The NMSA recently established school coordinators and track co-chairs, developed relations with the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), and has announced plans for the Academic Cup – a cross-school academic competition for ND students (with prizes totaling $25,000!). Learn more about the organization and their burgeoning efforts.
6 Older adults are using CAM in high numbers.
A 2007 study of Minnesota community-dwelling older adults found CAM usage at nearly 63 percent in older adults and even higher in those with specific health problems. Symptoms of a health problem and desire for personal control over health motivated most CAM use in this population. While the study found that 80 percent of CAM users expressed satisfaction with their use of CAM, only 53 percent of users had disclosed their CAM use to their primary care providers. Read the study here.
7 Green tea benefits in Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer identified.
The list of benefits from green tea keeps growing! Its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties already have been shown to have positive effects on the heart, some cancers, diabetes, weight loss, immunity, mental alertness and cavities. Further studies in 2007 uncovered potential benefits from green tea for Parkinson’s patients and also found that drinking five or more cups a day may halve the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. This ancient Chinese proverb inspires many to supplement with green tea: "Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one." Green tea is just one of a plethora of nutrients, supplements and antioxidants being discovered and proven as effective means to both prevent and cure disease. The research continues to mount. Read more study details about Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer.
8 NCCAM funds 15 CAM Education Project grants. The October 2007 issue of the journal Academic Medicine, published by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), highlights 15 recent NCCAM-funded Education Project grants designed to incorporate CAM health education information into the curricula of established medical, dental, nursing and allied health professional schools; residency training programs; and continuing education programs. Reports on tools used, challenges faced and lessons learned provide a resource for other institutions considering instruction in integrative medicine. Learn more.
9 Three new CAM Centers of Excellence established.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has added three new Centers of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to its centers program. Located in California, South Carolina and New York, these new centers will explore the biological effects of a number of plant-derived compounds and preparations on pancreatic, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as well as Alzheimer’s. The NCCAM’s 11 Centers of Excellence apply cutting-edge technology to basic and clinical research on a wide range of CAM practices and products. Read the full press release. Learn more about NCCAM's Research Centers programs.
10 Prescription rights expanded for Washington State NDs.
Washington lawmakers have passed a statute expanding the prescribing rights of NDs, which now makes the ND scope of practice consistent with current ND training. The law now only restricts 'controlled substances', where none were allowed previously. This development means, among other things, that patients seeking to replace a pharmaceutical drug with an effective non-drug treatment now have the option of doing so safely by consulting an ND. Read more.
11 The movement to license naturopathic doctors grows.
With both national-level and state- and province-level associations making big strides in 2007, legislation to license NDs is currently pending in several states. Among those who actively pursued licensure efforts in year 2007: Alberta, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, and North Carolina. Each hopes to soon join the ranks of states and provinces that license NDs. Read more about naturopathic doctor licensure.
12 Natural Doctors International (NDI) reaches record patient numbers in 2007.
Through generous donations of time, expertise, money and in-kind items, NDI has now reached over 5,000 patients, completed numerous community projects, and continues to broaden the work of natural medicine around the globe. NDI provides free health care services to underserved communities by offering long-term, volunteer medical rotations for licensed NDs and other CAM providers worldwide. Learn more about the organization or read AANMC’s interview with NDI’s co-founder Tabatha Parker.
As the world of complementary and alternative medicine continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and to progress exponentially every year, opportunities for naturopathic doctors also expand rapidly. Consider the benefits of becoming a naturopathic doctor. Explore ND career paths and opportunities.
Author Patty Bates-Ballard is a mother, freelance writer and owner of WordSmooth. Patty's articles have appeared on the Environmental News Network and in Environmental Design + Construction magazine. She has guest lectured at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Sherman's Austin College and El Centro College in Dallas. She works from her home in Dallas, Texas, where she raises her sons, Kory and Kaden.