The question “Can a naturopathic doctor be considered a real doctor?” is often asked by people who have never sought treatment from one. Yes, the answer is yes; however, let us explain what the question is really asking.
- Will you want to know whether Naturopathic Doctors attend medical school and earn a medical doctorate? Certainly.
- Do you want to know whether a Naturopathic Doctor and a Medical Doctor or a Doctor of Osteopathy are the same thing? Not really
- Do you want to know if a Naturopathic Doctor has received medical training and can practice medicine? Certainly.
- Are you trying to figure out what the difference is between Naturopathic Doctors and other types of doctors (MDs and DOs)? A ton! – bear with me as we go into more detail!
The term doctor is derived from the Latin word docre, which means “to teach.” Doctors include naturopathic doctors, MDs, DOs, and PhDs who have completed a four-year graduate program in their profession. At the end of the day, the doctor should be assisting you in gaining a greater understanding of your health and equipping you with the resources necessary to take control of your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Difference Between Naturopathic Doctors and Medical Doctors
Naturopathic doctors are licensed medical professionals who think of medicine differently than other medical doctors. They have identical standards of training and diagnostic and evaluation skills, but their medical system has a very different philosophical foundation. They may not think in the same way as a conventional doctor does.
Symptoms of disease and sickness are viewed by naturopathic physicians as the body’s effort to cure itself. Natural remedies should be used first, and medications and surgeries should be used only when absolutely required! They understand that wellness is more than just the absence of illness; it is also the totality of one’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being, and they aim to assist patients in achieving their objectives in all of these fields. They are core health care providers with extensive training who would like to assist you in feeling good!
After completing related pre-med classes, both NDs and MDs enroll in four-year comprehensive professional programs. Until enrolling in a naturopathic college, students must have obtained an undergrad degree. In training, NDs and MDs study nearly similar basic and fundamental medical sciences. Anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, clinical physical diagnosis, genetics, pharmacology, microbiology, and other clinical science subjects are covered in about 1500 hours of preparation for both NDs and MDs. NDs spend around 1100 and 1500 hours in a professional internship as part of their education, where they apply their expertise and create therapeutic strategies in the same way that a medical doctor does.
Medical residencies are the most significant difference between MD and Naturopathic Doctor preparation. Conventional medical schools require and control MDs. As a result, there are several residencies available at a number of medical facilities, many of which are provided by the federal government.
Exams for ND licenses
Naturopathic doctors who want to practice in controlled states must pass the NPLEX, a multi-step, structured licensing test. The first section of the exam, which is somewhat close to the USMLE Step 1 Medical Licensing Exam that MDs must take, measures core clinical sciences. NPLEX’s second section is a thorough review of behavioral modalities and clinical procedures.
Every state also has a state law on licensing tests to assess functional skill and jurisprudence skills, ensuring that we can safely and securely handle you when adhering to the law.
About the Authors
Society’s Voice advocates for Naturopathic treatments for a variety of physical and mental disabilities. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care that emphasizes prevention and the self-healing process through the use of natural therapies. We know that the efficacy of naturopathic medicine dates back to the 1890s, and are heartened to see naturopathic medicine undergo a rapid increase in public interest in recent years as a result of the growing consumer movement to solve the healthcare puzzle using prevention, wellness and respect for nature’s inherent healing ability.
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