In a state without naturopathic licensure, anyone can call him or herself an ND regardless of the level of training, experience or competence. The potential harm to the healthcare consumer is great in terms of missed diagnoses or inappropriate treatments. A law would prevent practitioners who are not licensed under this act from calling themselves "naturopathic doctors". This provides public protection from practitioners without adequate training, who without regulation can misrepresent themselves as naturopathic doctors.
Licensure ensures that naturopathic doctors have graduated from accredited, four-year postgraduate naturopathic medical schools, passed board exams, and meet on-going continuing education requirements. NDs are trained to understand both natural and conventional therapies, thus assisting other practitioners and the patient in the safe use of natural medicine.
Many people are seeking alternative to drugs and surgery and don't know where to turn or whom to believe. Naturopathic doctors are professionals providing safe and effective natural approaches to wellness. The public should have full access to the health care providers they choose.
When licensed, will NDs be able to practice medicine? Without licensure, NDs are legally unable to practice medicine and utilize the full extent of their training. Obtaining licensure in Michigan would enable NDs to more effectively serve their communities. It would define a scope of practice for naturopathic doctors, establish professional standards and board certification in the state of Michigan, and maintain continuing education requirements for naturopathic physicians. This would benefit the public by allowing NDs to practice to their scope of training: to order lab tests, perform exams, make diagnoses, implement treatment, and prevent disease.
Naturopathic doctors and other health practitioners draw from the philosophy of naturopathy to educate people in health-supportive strategies. The difference lies in their education and training. NDs graduate from nationally accredited, postgraduate naturopathic schools, where they receive comprehensive training in basic biomedical sciences, diagnostic procedures and natural therapies. Their education includes two years of supervised clinical training. Licensed naturopathic doctors must pass board exams and meet annual continuing education requirements. NDs have a long history as a distinct medical profession n the US, dating back to the early 1900s. The training for other health practitioners may vary, from self-instruction or apprenticeships to distance-learning or correspondence programs. They may receive little or no clinical training.
Naturopathic medicine has been shown to be both effective and cost-effective health care. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes prevention, patient participation, and less invasive therapies. One cost-benefit study concluded that naturopathic treatment 1) reduced or eliminated the need for prescription or over-the-counter medications, 2) reduced the need for surgeries, medical interventions, procedures and services, and 3) increased patients' ability to give self-care. Further studies suggest that preventive medicine will decrease the cost of health care over time by reducing the incidence of chronic disease.
NDs are licensed in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota (Effective July 2, 2009), Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and the Virgin Islands. In those jurisdictions title protection and scope of practice is defined in their legislation.
A licensing law will not prevent any other licensed practitioner or citizen from using the therapeutic modalities that are within the scope of naturopathic practice. The ability of other health professions and citizens to use these therapies is defined by the scope of practice of each profession and the legal rights granted by Michigan to its citizens. Nor would it prevent anyone from selling vitamins, minerals, homeopathic medicines, or other therapeutics as long as these substances are permitted for sale by the laws of Michigan.