Naturopathic physicians are primary care providers who can diagnose, treat, and manage patients who suffer from a range of symptoms and conditions. Naturopathic doctors collaborate with their patients to create individualized treatment plans that address diet, lifestyle, and mental wellness in order to achieve positive health outcomes, addressing the root cause of symptoms. NDs also focus on preventative care, which greatly reduces healthcare costs in the long-run.
The U.S. has the highest cost of healthcare in the world, yet its citizens are experiencing a chronic disease epidemic. In the last 20 years, rates of chronic disease in the United States have grown exponentially, with over half of Americans experiencing at least one chronic condition.
Naturopathic doctors graduate from four-year, doctoral-level medical programs, certified by the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC). NDs are trained as primary care providers, learning foundational medical and biological sciences, pharmacology, therapeutic diagnostic coursework, and naturopathic modalities of healing. These modalities include nutrition, botanical medicine, regenerative medicine/alternative pain management, and many other therapies. Naturopathic physicians must pass two licensing exams in order to practice (NPLEX I and NPLEX II).
NDs are currently licensed in 26 jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. However, the scope of practice of Naturopathic physicians greatly varies across licensed states. Widespread licensing of NDs and the recognition of NDs as primary care providers across all 50 states would greatly alleviate the current primary-care physician shortage and provide sick Americans with the healthcare needed to heal.