Editing Naturopathy (section)

==Practitioners==
Naturopath practitioners can generally be categorized into three groups: 1) those with a government issued license; 2) those who practice outside of an official status ("traditional naturopaths"); 3) those who are primarily another kind of health professional who also practices naturopathy.<ref name="ACS-2009" /><ref name="NCCAM">{{Cite web | title =Naturopathy: An Introduction | publisher =[[National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health]], [[National Institutes of Health]], [[United States Department of Health and Human Services]] | orig-date =Created April 2007 | date =March 2012 | url =http://nccih.nih.gov/health/naturopathy/naturopathyintro.htm?nav=gsa | access-date =2013-03-16 | author =<!-- no byline --> | volume =NCCIH Pub. No. D372 | archive-date =February 23, 2015 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150223110947/https://nccih.nih.gov/health/naturopathy/naturopathyintro.htm?nav=gsa | url-status =live }}</ref><ref name="IMB_policy">{{cite web |author= Iowa Board of Medicine |title= A Policy Statement on Naturopathy |url= http://medicalboard.iowa.gov/policies/naturopathy.html |publisher= <!-- Iowa Board of Medicine, redundant to author -->Iowa Department of Public Health, State of Iowa |date= February 7, 2002 |access-date= 2013-09-01 |archive-date= April 12, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130412204820/http://medicalboard.iowa.gov/policies/naturopathy.html |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>The Platform of the American Naturopathic Association as drawn up by the Golden Jubilee Congress. July 27th – August 2nd, 1947</ref><ref name="MNNWG">{{cite web |url= http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpsc/hop/nawg/summary092308.pdf |title= Traditional Naturopathy Working Session Summary September 23 and October 1, 2008 |author= Naturopathy Work Group |publisher= Minnesota Department of Health |access-date= 2010-11-20 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110726104027/http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpsc/hop/nawg/summary092308.pdf |archive-date= July 26, 2011 }}</ref>

In Switzerland, these divisions fall between those with a federal diploma, those recognized by health insurances, and those with neither federal diploma nor recognition by health insurances. Naturopaths with federal diploma can be divided into four categories: European traditional medicine, Chinese traditional medicine, ayurvedic medicine and homeopathy.<ref name="sbfi.admin.ch">{{cite web |url=http://www.sbfi.admin.ch/bvz/hbb/index.html?detail=1&typ=hfp&lang=fr&item=834&abfragen=Chercher |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904074545/http://www.sbfi.admin.ch/bvz/hbb/index.html?detail=1&typ=hfp&lang=fr&item=834&abfragen=Chercher |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-09-04 |publisher=State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation |title=Naturopathe avec diplôme fédéral |location=CH }}</ref><ref name="apps.who.int">{{cite web |url=http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Jh2943e/7.19.html |publisher=World Health Organization |title=Legal Status of Traditional Medicine and Complementary/Alternative Medicine: A Worldwide Review |access-date=July 4, 2015 |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705180602/http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Jh2943e/7.19.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The number of listed naturopaths (including traditional healers) in Switzerland rose from 223 in 1970 to 1835 in 2000.<ref name="bfs.admin.ch/">{{cite web |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/fr/index/themen/14/03/04/key/01.html |title=Swiss Federal Statistical Office |location=Switzerland |access-date=2015-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708081400/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/fr/index/themen/14/03/04/key/01.html |archive-date=2015-07-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Licensed naturopaths ===
Licensed naturopaths may be referred to as "naturopathic doctors" or "naturopathic physicians" in 26 US states or territories and 5 Canadian provinces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aanmc.org/naturopathic-news/naturopathic-doctors-wisconsin-licensure/|title=Naturopathic Doctors are Now Licensed in Wisconsin|date=2022-02-17|access-date=2022-02-21|website=AANMC|quote=Wisconsin has just become the 26th U.S. state/territory to regulate naturopathic doctors.}}</ref> Licensed naturopaths present themselves as [[Primary care physician|primary care providers]].<ref name="Gale_Frey" /><ref name="CNME-handbook" /> Licensed naturopaths do not receive comparable training to medical doctors in terms of the quality of education or quantity of hours.<ref name="atwood2003" /><ref name="AAFP" />

In [[British Columbia]], legislation permits licensed naturopaths to use the title "doctor" or "physician".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/282_2008 |title=Health Professions Act: Naturopathic Physicians Regulation |at=B.C. Reg. 282/2008 M242/2008 |publisher=Queen's Printer |location=Victoria, British Columbia |date=October 2008 |access-date=18 August 2016 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003734/https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/282_2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, section 102 of the bylaw of the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC), the terms "naturopathic" or "naturopathic medicine" must be included anytime the term doctor or physician is used by a member of the CNPBC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnpbc.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019-12-27-CNPBC-Bylaws-Consolidation.pdf|title=Bylaws of the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.straight.com/news/1360161/surrey-city-councillor-and-naturopath-allison-patton-fined-and-suspended-calling |title=Surrey city councillor and naturopath Allison Patton fined and suspended for calling herself a "physician" |date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003702/https://www.straight.com/news/1360161/surrey-city-councillor-and-naturopath-allison-patton-fined-and-suspended-calling |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/surrey-councillor-fined-suspended-from-naturopathy-for-misusing-physician-title/ |title=Surrey councillor fined, suspended from naturopathy for misusing 'physician' title |date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003717/https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/surrey-councillor-fined-suspended-from-naturopathy-for-misusing-physician-title/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/complaint-filed-against-surrey-naturopath-turned-councillor-who-campaigned-as-physician-1.4907555 |title=Complaint filed against Surrey naturopath-turned-councillor who campaigned as 'physician' |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003716/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/complaint-filed-against-surrey-naturopath-turned-councillor-who-campaigned-as-physician-1.4907555 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Education ====
[[File:NCNM3.jpg|right|upright|thumb|[[National University of Natural Medicine]] trains students in naturopathic medicine who are eligible to become licensed in some jurisdictions in North America.]]
[[File:Bastyr University Garden.jpg|thumb|upright|The herb garden at [[Bastyr University]], another naturopathic program whose graduates can become licensed naturopaths in some North American jurisdictions]]

Licensed naturopaths must pass the [[Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations]] (NPLEX) administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE)<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nabne.org/home/about/ |title= About Us |access-date= 3 September 2013 |publisher= North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners |author= <!-- no byline --> |date= <!-- no date in source --> |archive-date= October 5, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131005181153/https://www.nabne.org/home/about/ |url-status= live }}</ref> after graduating from a program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).<ref name="CNME-handbook" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Naturopathy|url=https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/naturopathy|website=NCCIH|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27|archive-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331033317/https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/naturopathy|url-status=live}}</ref> Training in CNME-accredited programs includes basic medical diagnostics and procedures such as rudimentary physical exams and common [[blood test]]s, in addition to pseudoscientific modalities, such as homeopathy, acupuncture, and energy modalities.<ref name="atwood2003">{{cite journal | vauthors = Atwood KC | title = Naturopathy: a critical appraisal | journal = MedGenMed | volume = 5 | issue = 4 | pages = 39 | date = December 2003 | pmid = 14745386 | url = http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/465994 | access-date = September 4, 2013 | archive-date = March 2, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130302030226/http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/465994 | url-status = live }}{{registration required}}</ref><ref name="atwood2004" /><ref name="Barrett-Naturopathy" /><ref name="Gale_Frey" />
These accredited programs have been criticized for misrepresenting their medical rigor and teaching subjects that are antithetical to the best understandings of science and medicine.<ref name="Barrett-Naturopathy" /><ref name="GorskiSBM" /><ref name="Hermes2015">{{cite web|vauthors=Hermes B|author-link1=Britt Marie Hermes|title=ND Confession, Part 1: Clinical training inside and out|url=https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/nd-confession-part-1-clinical-training-inside-and-out|website=[[Science-Based Medicine]]|access-date=23 July 2016|date=13 March 2015|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003703/https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/nd-confession-part-1-clinical-training-inside-and-out/|url-status=live}}</ref> The CNME as an accrediting authority has been characterized as unreliable and suffering from conflicts of interest.<ref name="Mangan1999">{{cite news|vauthors=Mangan KS|title=Report Recommends Stripping Naturopathy Council of Its Accrediting Authority|url=http://chronicle.com/article/Report-Recommends-Stripping/113719|access-date=23 July 2016|work=[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]]|date=2 December 1999|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003742/https://www.chronicle.com/article/report-recommends-stripping-naturopathy-council-of-its-accrediting-authority/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hermes2015b">{{cite web|vauthors=Hermes B|author-link1=Britt Marie Hermes|title=ND Confession, Part II: The Accreditation of Naturopathic "Medical" Education|url=https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/nd-confession-part-ii-the-accreditation-of-naturopathic-medical-education/|website=[[Science-Based Medicine]]|access-date=23 July 2016|date=29 August 2015|archive-date=July 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710155040/https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/nd-confession-part-ii-the-accreditation-of-naturopathic-medical-education/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sfsbmNDreport">{{Cite report |author=Society for Science-Based Medicine |date=2014 |title=Report to the Maryland Board of Physicians Naturopathic Advisory Committee: Recommendations for Naturopathic Regulation |url=http://sfsbm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=486:naturopathic-board&catid=52:legislative&Itemid=435 |access-date=23 July 2016 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003654/http://sfsbm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=486%3Anaturopathic-board&catid=52%3Alegislative&Itemid=435 |url-status=live }}</ref> The naturopathic licensing exam has been called a mystery by those outside the naturopathic profession<ref name="atwood2004" /><ref name="MMStestimony2015">{{cite web|title=MMS Testimony in Opposition to H. 1992 and S. 1205, An Act to Create a Board of Registration in Naturopathy|url=http://www.massmed.org/Advocacy/MMS-Testimony/MMS-Testimony-in-Opposition-to-H--1992-and-S--1205,-An-Act-to-Create-a-Board-of-Registration-in-Naturopathy/#.VtgJaZMrKrO|website=Massachusetts Medical Society|access-date=30 July 2016|archive-date=May 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522130005/http://www.massmed.org/Advocacy/MMS-Testimony/MMS-Testimony-in-Opposition-to-H--1992-and-S--1205,-An-Act-to-Create-a-Board-of-Registration-in-Naturopathy/#.VtgJaZMrKrO|url-status=live}}</ref> and criticized for testing on [[homeopathic]] remedies,<ref name="GorskiSBM">{{cite web|vauthors=Gorski D|author-link1=David Gorski|title=Naturopathy and Science|url=https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/naturopathy-and-science/|publisher=ScienceBasedMedicine.org|access-date=3 March 2016|date=21 February 2011|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003753/https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/naturopathy-and-science/|url-status=live}}</ref> including for the use to treat [[pediatric]] emergencies.<ref name="Senapathy2016" />

Several schools in North America exist for the study of naturopathic medicine, some accredited by the CNME.<ref>{{cite web |title=Accredited Naturopathic Medical Schools |url=https://aanmc.org/naturopathic-schools/ |website=Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges }}</ref> The CNME and the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) claim entrance requirements and curricula at accredited colleges are often similar or comparable to those required and offered at conventional medical schools.<ref>{{cite web |title=ND, MD/DO, NP: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? |url=https://aanmc.org/comparing-nd-md-curricula/ |website=Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges |access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref> However, the lack of accreditation by the [[Liaison Committee on Medical Education]] may indicate insufficiency of scientific medical training and/or quantifiable positive results, and accordingly it remains disputed whether graduates of medical colleges accredited by the CNME have the competency of Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathy.<ref name="AAFP"/><ref>{{cite web |title=ND Confession, Part II: The Accreditation of Naturopathic "Medical" Education |url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/nd-confession-part-ii-the-accreditation-of-naturopathic-medical-education/ |website=Science-Based Medicine |date=August 30, 2015 |access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref>

Naturopathic doctors are not eligible for [[Residency (medicine)|medical residencies]], which are available exclusively for medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine. There are limited post-graduate "residency" positions available to naturopathic doctors offered through naturopathic schools and naturopathic clinics approved by the CNME.<ref name="CNME_residency">{{cite web|title=Handbook on CNME Postdoctoral Naturopathic Medical Education Sponsor Recognition Process and Standards (2005)|url=http://www.cnme.org/resources/residency_handbook.pdf|publisher=Council on Naturopathic Medical Education|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615111625/https://cnme.org/resources/residency_handbook.pdf|archive-date=15 June 2006}}</ref> Most naturopathic doctors do not complete such a residency,<ref name="Boon HS" /> and naturopathic doctors are not mandated to complete one for licensure,<ref name="ACS-2009" /> except in the states of Utah and Connecticut.<ref name="UT license app">{{cite web |url=http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/forms/applications/072_naturopathic_phys.pdf |title=Application for Licensure: Naturopathic Physician |website=Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Utah Department of Commerce |publisher=State of Utah |date=February 17, 2012 |page=1 |access-date=2013-09-08 |archive-date=June 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629150914/http://dopl.utah.gov/licensing/forms/applications/072_naturopathic_phys.pdf}}</ref> [[Continuing education]] in naturopathic modalities for health care professionals varies greatly.<ref name="PoaP" />

==== Political activity in the United States ====
Naturopathic practitioners affiliated with the CNME-accredited schools lobby state, provincial, and federal governments for medical licensure and participation in social health programs.<ref name="Robins" /><ref name="Weeks2016" /> The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians represents licensed naturopaths in the United States;<ref name="Robins" /> the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors represents licensed naturopaths in Canada.<ref name="Weeks2016">{{cite news|vauthors=Carly W|title=Are we being served by the regulation of naturopaths? Not if patients are still being misled|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/canadian-naturopaths-need-to-follow-the-rules-if-they-want-regulation/article29785140/|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|access-date=23 July 2016|date=29 April 2016|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003753/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/canadian-naturopaths-need-to-follow-the-rules-if-they-want-regulation/article29785140/|url-status=live}}</ref> Naturopathic lobbying efforts are funded by vitamin and supplement makers<ref name="Robins" /> and focus on portraying naturopathic education as comparable to [[medical education]] received by [[physicians]] and on having high professional standards.<ref name="Weeks2016" /><ref name="NDMDCA">{{cite news|title=ND vs MD -- Battle Lines Drawn in California|url=http://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/workforce/51917|access-date=24 July 2016|date=3 June 2015|archive-date=July 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725123138/http://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/workforce/51917|url-status=live}}</ref> Medical societies and advocacy groups dispute these claims by citing evidence of licensed naturopathic practitioners using pseudoscientific methods without a sound evidence basis and lacking adequate clinical training to diagnose and treat disease competently according to the [[standard of care]].<ref name="Robins" /><ref name="NDMDCA" /><ref name="Frosch2011">{{cite news|vauthors=Frosch D|title=Licensing Naturopaths Incites Debate in Colorado|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/health/22license.html?_r=0|access-date=24 July 2016|work=The New York Times|date=21 February 2011|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202003854/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/health/22license.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Lambeck">{{cite news|vauthors=Lambeck L|title=New law could let Connecticut naturopathic physicians write prescriptions|url=http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/New-law-could-let-Connecticut-naturopathic-7942677.php|access-date=25 July 2016|work=Connecticut Post|date=24 May 2016|archive-date=August 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828130127/http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/New-law-could-let-Connecticut-naturopathic-7942677.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Jann Bellamy has characterized the process by which naturopathic practitioners and other practitioners of pseudoscience convince lawmakers to provide them with medical licenses as "legislative alchemy".<ref name="Bellamy2014">{{cite web|vauthors=Bellamy J|title=Legislative Alchemy 2014 (so far)|url=https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/legislative-alchemy-2014-so-far/|website=[[Science-Based Medicine]]|access-date=21 July 2016|date=15 May 2014|archive-date=February 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220135945/https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/legislative-alchemy-2014-so-far/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since 2005, the [[Massachusetts Medical Society]] has opposed licensure based on concerns that NDs are not required to participate in residency and concerns that the practices of naturopaths included many "erroneous and potentially dangerous claims".<ref name="MassMed2005">{{cite web |first= <!-- contact not author Richard P. --> |last= <!-- contact not author Gulla --> |title= Massachusetts Medical Society Testifies in Opposition to Licensing Naturopaths |date= May 11, 2005 |publisher= [[Massachusetts Medical Society]] |url= http://www.massmed.org/AM/PrinterTemplate.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=12458&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm |access-date= 2009-04-17 |archive-date= 2011-07-16 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110716132319/http://www.massmed.org/AM/PrinterTemplate.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=12458&TEMPLATE=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm |url-status= dead }}</ref> The Massachusetts Special Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medical Practitioners rejected their concerns and recommended licensure.<ref name="MassCtte">{{cite web |title=Majority Report of the Special Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medical Practitioners: A Report to the Legislature |date=January 2002 |author=The Special Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medical Practitioners |publisher=Massachusetts: The Special Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medical Practitioners |url=http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/majority.pdf |access-date=2010-11-10 |archive-date=January 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121012802/http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/majority.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The Massachusetts Medical Society states:<ref name="MMStestimony2015" />

{{Blockquote|Naturopathic medical school is not a medical school in anything but the appropriation of the word medical. Naturopathy is not a branch of medicine. It is a hodge podge of nutritional advice, home remedies and discredited treatments ... Naturopathic colleges claim accreditation but follow a true "alternative" accreditation method that is virtually meaningless. They are not accredited by the same bodies that accredit real medical schools and while some courses have similar titles to the curricula of legitimate medical schools the content is completely different.|author=|title=|source=}}

In 2015, a former naturopathic doctor, Britt Marie Hermes, who graduated from [[Bastyr University]] and practiced as a licensed ND in [[Washington (state)|Washington]] and [[Arizona]], began advocating against naturopathic medicine.<ref name="HermesSI2020">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hermes B |title=Beware the Naturopathic Cancer Quack |journal=Skeptical Inquirer |date=April 2020 |volume=44 |issue=2 |pages=38–44 |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/2020/03/beware-the-naturopathic-cancer-quack/ }}</ref><ref name="Senapathy2016">{{cite news| vauthors = Senapathy K |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kavinsenapathy/2016/05/31/why-is-big-naturopathy-afraid-of-this-lone-whistleblower|title=Why Is Big Naturopathy Afraid Of This Lone Whistleblower?|date=2016-05-31|work=Forbes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200322212737/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kavinsenapathy/2016/05/31/why-is-big-naturopathy-afraid-of-this-lone-whistleblower/%233d54f5de7ee4|archive-date=March 22, 2020|location=US|access-date=September 5, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Belluz2015">{{cite news|vauthors=Belluz J|author-link=Julia Belluz|title=Why one naturopath quit after watching her peers treat cancer patients|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/9/2/9248713/britt-hermes|work=Vox|date=2 September 2015|access-date=June 13, 2017|archive-date=October 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014084313/https://www.vox.com/2015/9/2/9248713/britt-hermes|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to opposing further licensure, she believes that NDs should not be allowed to use the titles "doctor" or "physician",<ref name="Senapathy2016" /> and be barred from treating children.<ref name="Brown2016">{{cite news |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] |author=Jim Brown |title=Former naturopathic doctor calls for an end to naturopathic pediatrics |work=The 180 |date=10 April 2016 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/radio/the180/a-former-naturopath-speaks-out-why-precarious-work-can-be-good-and-will-assisted-death-come-to-rural-canada-1.3525870/former-naturopathic-doctor-calls-for-an-end-to-naturopathic-pediatrics-1.3525946 |access-date=June 8, 2016 |archive-date=June 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612215149/http://www.cbc.ca/radio/the180/a-former-naturopath-speaks-out-why-precarious-work-can-be-good-and-will-assisted-death-come-to-rural-canada-1.3525870/former-naturopathic-doctor-calls-for-an-end-to-naturopathic-pediatrics-1.3525946 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kirkey2016">{{cite news| vauthors = Kirkey S |title=Should naturopaths be restricted from treating children after tragic death of Alberta toddler? |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/should-naturopaths-be-restricted-from-treating-children-in-wake-of-death-of-alberta-toddler |access-date=8 June 2016 |work=[[National Post]] |date=4 April 2016 }}</ref> She states:<ref name="Hermes2016">{{cite web|vauthors=Britt H|author-link1=Britt Marie Hermes|title=How A Former Naturopath Can Help Unravel The Trickery Of Alternative Medicine|url=http://www.science20.com/britt_marie_hermes/how_a_former_naturopath_can_help_unravel_the_trickery_of_alternative_medicine-175036|website=Science 2.0|access-date=30 July 2016|date=21 June 2016|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003748/https://www.science20.com/britt_marie_hermes/how_a_former_naturopath_can_help_unravel_the_trickery_of_alternative_medicine-175036|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|Naturopaths aggressively lobby for laws to issue them medical licenses. I would characterize this political effort as a perverted redefinition of the words "physician", "doctor", "medical school", and "residency" in order to mask the inadequacy of the training provided in naturopathic programs. ND students do not realize that they are taking educational shortcuts and therefore do not possess any demonstrable competencies found in modern medicine.|author=|title=|source=}}

=== Traditional naturopaths ===
[[File:Hugh Mercer Apothecary 02.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Hugh Mercer Apothecary]] in [[Fredericksburg, Virginia]], a pharmacy founded by [[Hugh Mercer]], a Scottish physician, in the mid-18th century. It is now a museum demonstrating 18th Century medical treatments.]]

Traditional naturopaths are represented in the United States by the American Naturopathic Association (ANA), representing about 1,800 practitioners<ref name="Swartout(Firm)2006">{{cite book|veditors=Swartout KA|title=Encyclopedia of Associations|edition=44|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wf6PPHSMD4IC|access-date=2013-09-04|year=2006|publisher=Thomson Gale|isbn=978-0-7876-8286-6|pages=1777–1778|archive-date=December 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203184157/https://books.google.com/books?id=Wf6PPHSMD4IC|url-status=live}}</ref> and the American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA).<ref name="Baer2001" />

The level of naturopathic training varies among traditional naturopaths in the United States. Traditional naturopaths may complete non-degree certificate programs or undergraduate degree programs and generally refer to themselves as naturopathic consultants. These programs often offer online unaccredited degrees, but do not offer comprehensive biomedical education or clinical training.

Traditional naturopathic practitioners surveyed in Australia perceive evidence-based medicine to be an ideological assault on their beliefs in vitalistic and holistic principles.<ref name="Jagtenberg2006" /> They advocate for the integrity of natural medicine practice.<ref name="Jagtenberg2006" />

Naturopaths graduating from accredited programs argued in 2002 that their training used evidence-based scientific principles unlike traditional naturopathic programs,<ref name="Smith MJ, Logan AC 2002 173–84">{{cite journal | vauthors = Smith MJ, Logan AC | title = Naturopathy | journal = The Medical Clinics of North America | volume = 86 | issue = 1 | pages = 173–184 | date = January 2002 | pmid = 11795088 | doi = 10.1016/S0025-7125(03)00079-8 }}</ref> but this claim remains inaccurate.<ref name="atwood2003" /><ref name="Barrett-Naturopathy" />