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FAQ’s
What follows are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) – questions that are frequently asked by potential students. They are divided into the various topics of interest:
Tuition Fees and Payment
These are FAQ’s regarding TUITION FEES AND PAYMENT PLANS:
1) Can I enrol and pay online?
Yes, you can simply enrol and pay online for all courses using our secure servers via PayPal or use a credit card. You may also make a bank transfer directly to our bank account in Cyprus.
2) How much does it cost to complete the Bachelor in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine (B.N. HM) programme?
This Bachelors course comprises of 190 credits at €70 euros per credit, making a total of €13,300. You can view all the course fees HERE.
3) If I receive exemption credits for previous courses completed, will this amount be reduced?
Yes, you will only pay for the amount of credit hours you need to complete, no more. The amount quoted above is for the MAXIMUM number of credit hours (190 US credit hours).
4) Are there payment plans available?
Yes, there are a number of payment plans that suit most students – see Payment Plans.
There are a number of ways to pay in order to make payment easy and seamless. Here are some of the choices:
- PAY-AS-YOU-GO
Simply pay for each course as you take them – pay-as-you-go! Each course will have a variable price depending on the number of credits it is worth. Simple payment with your credit card, PayPal or bank transfer (upon request).
- PAY EACH COURSE BY INSTALMENT
It is also possible to pay for each course by 3 monthly instalments using PayPal or credit or debit card.
- MONTHLY INSTALMENT PAYMENTS
Students can also set up a standing order with their bank to pay for ALL their courses on a monthly basis. If this payment method is of interest, we will work out the monthly payments for each student depending on the type of degree and the number of credits required. Once you know the amount, then it is easy to set up a standing order via your bank.
4) Is an initial deposit required when a student is accepted to a degree course?
Not compulsory! However, some students request that they pay a deposit to help reduce the monthly payments – this is also fine and we can work with individual cases to see what is best for the student – we are flexible in order to facilitate the students which is our main focus.
5) What is the cost of the Masters in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine (M.N. HM)?
The Master’s degree consists of 50 credits and each credit costs €130, making a total cost of €6,500.
6) What is the cost to complete the Doctor of Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine – (D.N. HM) programme?
The Doctoral degree consists of 100 credits at €140 per credit, making a total of €14,000. There are different payment plans available (see above).
7) How do these costs compare with other online universities and colleges?
You may check it out yourselves by Googling various online colleges and universities – you will see that many undergraduate degree courses are charging about €10,000 or more per year, which makes a 3-year B.Sc course worth about €30,000 or more over the 3 years.
The Doctoral courses online at other universities can run from 35,000 – €50,000 or more before completion, which again is considerably much more expensive than our programmes.
The 8 Ivy league, full-time universities for studying Naturopathic Medicine doctorates (N.D.) will likely cost well over $300,000 for a 4-year doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, which is beyond the reach of most people.
We believe that for the quality and variety of educational material provided, that our costs are extremely reasonable. We need to cover costs but not to grossly profit from the student – our major aim is to educate Naturopaths and Holistic Medicine practitioners to a high standard around the globe.
8) Do I have to pay all this amount immediately?
No! You simply pay for the courses that you take each trimester, in increments – its a “Pay-As-You-Go” type system.
There are other payment plans available to help the student pay for their courses gradually.
9) Do you offer scholarships?
We unfortunately do not have the resources to offer scholarships at the moment but we aim to do so in the future.
Feel free to send us other FAQ’s!
Credit Transfers
These are some FAQ’s regarding CREDIT TRANSFERS from other universities and colleges to the Da Vinci Institute and obtaining exemptions for these so they are not repeated.
1) I have a 3-year bachelor’s degree from my country. Can I get admission to your Graduate School? Can I begin a Masters or Doctoral degree with this Bachelors degree?
Yes, all this is evaluated during the Student Evaluation process and an Enrolment Agreement is returned to each student outlining the specific courses that are required to be taken, as well as those that you may be exempt from.
This process applies to both the Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral level. We have many students from different countries with various degrees that can be transfer their credits to the Da Vinci Institute, as long as they are quality courses with the correct number of clock hours to fit our evaluation policy criteria.
Once the student sends their transcripts and degree certificates with their Application Form, we will filter this material and produce an Enrolment Agreement that will clearly state what exemptions the students are entitled to, and whether their application for the desired degree is successful.
Sometimes students with a Bachelor’s degree may be required to do some “top-up” courses that are a prerequisite before entering the Master’s programme. All these conditions will be stipulated on the Enrolment Agreement that we send to the student after receiving the Application Form.
2) I have a couple of courses in natural medicine that I completed at other colleges. Can I get these transferred to the Da Vinci Institute so I do not have to repeat them again?
Assuming that these courses are in-depth covering the required credits and clock hours of study time, then this should be fine.
3) I am a medical doctor interested in pursuing a Doctoral degree in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine. Is this possible?
Yes, there is a direct route for medical doctors to enter the Doctoral degree programme directly, without further courses, as they have already covered the biomedical sciences, anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry and other courses that are prerequisites for the doctorate.
They would have to complete the 100 credit hours required, along with a dissertation to qualify, along with clinical practicums in Holistic medicine training centers around the world.
Feel free to send us other FAQ’s!
Degree Students
These are FAQ’s regarding the BACHELORS, MASTERS AND DOCTORATE DEGREES in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine:
1) How many credits do I require for the Bachelors in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine (B.N. HM)?
There are a total of 190 US credits that are required, in a blended model of learning consisting of online learning, video lectures, clinical practicum in holistic medicine training centers around the world, as well as a dissertation. This can be completed in 3 years, or up to a maximum of 4 years. This is equivalent to 2,850 clock hours of study.
2) How many credits would I require for the Masters in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine (M.N. HM)?
There are a total of 45 US credits that are required, in a blended model of learning consisting of online learning, video lectures, clinical practicum in holistic medicine training centers around the world, as well as a dissertation. This must be completed in one year, but a maximum of 2 years is allowed. This is equivalent to 675 clock hours of study.
3) How many credits would I require to complete the Doctor of Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine (D.N. HM)?
There are a total of 100 US credits that are required, in a blended model of learning consisting of online learning, video lectures, clinical practicum in holistic medicine training centers around the world, as well as a dissertation. This can be completed in two years, with a maximum of 3 years. This is the equivalent of 1,500 clock hours of study.
4) I am a medical doctor and want to take the Doctor of Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine. What courses would I need to cover?
Medical doctors have a direct path to the Doctor of Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine as they have already completed the prerequisite biomedical, medical laboratory science, anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry and the like.
They would need to complete the 100 credit hours required, consisting of a blend of online learning, video lectures, webinars, dissertation and clinical practicum in holistic medicine training centers around the world.
5) Can chiropractors, osteopaths and naturopaths go directly to the Doctor of Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine?
The general answer is “yes”, but it depends on what courses they have covered and what exemptions they would receive when their Enrolment Agreement is created, based on the transcripts that they send us. Each of these CAM modalities will gain the relevant exemptions based on their existing educational background.
Feel free to send us other FAQ’s!
Diploma Students
Here are some FAQ’s regarding STAND-ALONE DIPLOMA COURSES:
1) I am not really interested in taking a Degree course but just want to do one or two of the Diploma courses as “bolt-on” tools for my existing practice. Is this possible?
Yes, absolutely! The distance learning Diploma Courses are stand-alone courses that can be taken by anyone interested in learning about individual modalities of Holistic Medicine. They are also ideal for existing practitioners of natural medicine who want to add another diagnostic or healing modality to their existing practice.
Once the final exams are completed for each Diploma, a Certificate will be issued from the Da Vinci Institute. You may see and enrol online for the Diploma courses HERE.
2) If I take a couple of your Diploma courses and then decide to continue with the degree course, would it be possible to transfer these over?
Yes, but you would have to make a formal Application for the degree in question. Once the credits for the Diploma courses and other relevant courses are assessed, then these exemption credits will go towards the degree course. We would send you an Enrolment Agreement detailing all the courses required for the completion of the degree course.
3) What type of Diploma courses can I choose from? I do not want to take the full degree at present.
There are over 40 Diploma courses you can choose from and you can review these in detail under DIPLOMA COURSES.
4) Are Diploma courses all taken online?
Yes, there is no clinical practicum work required for the stand-alone diploma courses. The courses are rich in knowledge and would normally be taken as part of the degree courses, so are high-quality courses in themselves. Many are interactive with video lectures, there are online assignments and a final exam required for all Diploma courses.
5) Are there examinations required for the Diploma courses?
Yes, after each lesson there are normally 10 assignment questions that are taken online and are timed. At the end of each course there is also a final exam that is taken online and is again timed. All the scores from the various lessons are recorded in your personal grade book and will account to your final grade at the end. The grade is reflected on your final Diploma certificate which will be sent to your home address.
6) Do I receive a Diploma Certificate after the completion of the diploma?
Yes, absolutely! You will be sent a signed and embossed Diploma Certificate with your grade on it.
Feel free to send us other FAQ’s!
Clinic Training
These are FAQ’s regarding the CLINICAL PRACTICUMS that are required for all degree programmes.
FAQ’s – 1) Will I be required to complete a number of hours of clinical work in order to qualify for my degree?
Yes, clinical practicums, working hands-on in a holistic medicine center, with an experienced mentor is compulsory before a student can qualify for a degree in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine. The clinical practicum in holistic medicine centers is an important part of the learning process where you will be confronted with real patients presenting their health issues – it is here that you will have an opportunity of seeing how your vast theoretical knowledge is converted into diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to help your patients.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to use different diagnostic and therapeutic equipment that is often used in the field of holistic medicine and naturopathy.
FAQ’s 2) Do I need to do my clinical practicums in specific countries around the world?
Ideally, initially coming to the Da Vinci Holistic Health Center in Larnaca, Cyprus would be the best experience as this is a purpose-built, cutting-edge centre that is fully equipped with diagnostic and therapy devices, as well as having its own herbal pharmacy and laboratory facilities where students can conduct empirical research. It is one of the best Holistic Centers in Europe and the Middle East. Dr Georgiou, the Founder of the Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine will be your personal mentor throughout your stay, so your learning curve will be at right angles throughout!
It is also strongly recommended to train at other naturopathic or holistic medicine centers in other parts of the world, or even closer to home. These centers would need to go through a “vetting” process with us in order to ascertain whether they are true learning centers, run by experienced practitioners. Many Naturopathic Associations around the world require a few hundred hours of clinical practice, and this is what we encourage our students to achieve. All these hours are recorded and will reflect on the student’s transcript. This is imperative for being accepted to Naturopathic Associations in different countries.
FAQ’s 3) Is there a fee for the clinical practicum?
Yes, the clinical practicum has a fee, as the experienced practitioners in the different centers will be donating their time and equipment, as well as getting permission from patients for you to sit in, as well as spending time and effort discussing cases and answering questions.
The average fee for the clinical practicum runs at around 850 Euros per week of clinical work, but this may vary from country to country, depending on local rates.
Feel free to send us other FAQ’s!
Dissertations
These are FAQ’s regarding the DISSERTATIONS that are required for each of the degree programs:
1) What is required for the Bachelor’s dissertation?
Bachelor’s dissertations are generally shorter than Masters and Doctoral dissertations – 100 pages is the minimum requirement.
A topic of interest should be chosen and a thorough search of the literature pertinent to this topic must be made. Each Bachelor’s student will be required to complete the Research Methods and Biostatistics – Part 1 course which will help the student begin structuring and writing the Bachelor’s dissertation or thesis.
The goal is to illustrate the latest research findings in the chosen area of study, and to cover a critique of this literature, including the strengths and weaknesses of the research.
2) What is required for the Master’s dissertation?
The Master’s dissertation is usually longer than the Bachelors – 150 pages minimum.
It is usually an extension of the Bachelor’s dissertation, going deeper and expanding into other avenues of research on your chosen topic. It is also possible to do some empirical research in a clinical setting or with private patients, or in a laboratory setting, or in the field using questionnaires and interviews with patients. It will really depend on the goals and objectives of your Master’s dissertation or thesis.
Each Master’s student will be required to complete the Research Methods and Biostatistics – Part 2 course which will help the student begin structuring and writing the Master’s dissertation or thesis.
3) What about the Doctoral dissertation – what is required?
This would be a minimum of 320 pages, but with innovative information or empirical research that is publishable in peer-reviewed journals.
Before beginning your Doctoral dissertation, you will be required to take the compulsory course: Research Methodology and Biostatistics – Part 2, which is an important course that will help the student in the design of the study, using the correct methodology, as well as the literature review and critique, sample size and the statistical analysis and discussion and conclusions.
4) What is the purpose of the Doctoral Dissertation?
The purpose of the dissertation is to prepare the student to be a professional in the discipline. Through this preparation the student learns and demonstrates the ability to conduct independent, original, and significant research. The dissertation thus shows that the student is able to
• identify and define problems
• generate questions and hypotheses
• review and summarize the literature
• apply appropriate methods
• collect data properly
• analyze and judge evidence
• discuss findings
• produce publishable results
• engage in a sustained piece of research or argument
• think and write critically and coherently
The Doctoral dissertation is an indication that you have a mastery of your topic and have been through a 5-year educational process, accumulating a huge knowledge-base in many topics of Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine.
Feel free to send us other FAQ’s!
Accreditation
These are FAQ’s regarding ACCREDITATION:
- Are the degree courses in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine accredited?
The degree courses offered by the Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine have been accredited by the School of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, University of America, USA, a prestigious university in California with a California and Florida Charter, Reg # 00020RAF040219CY.
The University of America is registered with the US. Department of Education/NCES and assigned the USDE federal recognition ID 475237.
All Degree certificates are awarded by the University of America. They have been granted the status of Accredited Postsecondary Institution of IABSCU, USA (International Accrediting Bureau for Schools, Colleges and Universities, USA), Reg. # 00020RAF040219CY.
In addition, the University is also accredited by ASIC, ATHE/Ofqual recognized and EBMA UK/QAA listed and is authorized by the Florida Department of Education Commission on Independent Education to deliver online BSc/MSc/MBA/DBA/Ph.D/Ed.D degree programs globally as well as the State of CA BPPE.
2) What role does the Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine play?
The Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine has worked tirelessly for over 10 years to construct high-calibre courses in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine. The Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine has the Intellectual Property rights for all these 70 courses.
The University of America has chosen to adopt the Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine as their European extension affiliate campus.
This empowered the Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine based in Europe, to act as a training center of the University of America, so that student’s credits earned from the Da Vinci Institute courses and their blended teaching methods, can be transferred to the University of America so that students can earn accredited degrees at the Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral levels in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine.
The final degree is awarded by the University of America, even though the teaching takes place on the Moodle educational platform of the Da Vinci Institute, along with clinical training at the Da Vinci Holistic Health Center or other training center worldwide, along with research opportunities in a cutting-edge laboratory.
3) Are these degrees and accreditation internationally recognised?
Generally, there is no International accreditation as different countries have their own rules and regulations regarding the practice of Naturopathy and holistic medicine, even though many countries have no laws or associations regulating these professions.
What is important after qualifying is that you can join an Naturopathic Association in your country that covers the practice of these professions.
The degrees are accredited by the University of America who has reviewed our courses and curriculum and decided that our standards are sufficient for them to issue the degree under their Charter.
4) Will I be accepted to Naturopathic Associations in my country?
There is no reason why our degrees should not be accepted by the majority of naturopathic and holistic medicine associations around the world. Our students complete 190 US credits or 2,850 clock hours for the Bachelors, 50 US credits or 750 clock hours for the Masters and 100 US credits or 1,500 clock hours for the Doctoral degree using blended learning – both online, video lectures and clinical practicums in holistic medicine centers around the world. The Doctoral degree is equivalent to 5,100 clock hours of study – even the few main-stream Naturopathic schools around the world do not require such rigorous training for their Doctoral degrees!
Ideally, there should not be any associations worldwide that would not accept a student of naturopathy and holistic medicine who has undergone so much rigorous and detailed training.
5) What if I apply to one of my associations in my country and I am rejected?
We would be happy to communicate with this specific association and share with them our transcripts and curriculum to prove that our training is of the standard stipulated by the World Health Organization for the practice of naturopathy and holistic medicine.
Our intention is to communicate with as many of these associations as possible, even though there are many hundreds worldwide, and share our curriculum and training protocols so that they can see the high standards that we maintain.
6) Is there a World Naturopathic Federation?
Actually there is, and this World Naturopathic Federation accepts applications from associations in different countries, not individual applications from individual students. If you can persuade your local Association to make an application to the World Association, then all members of your local association will automatically become members of the World Association.
7) I have heard that there are only 8 State accredited Naturopathic Medicine courses in America and only these graduates can join specific associations. Is this true and how does this work?
It is true that there are 8 State accredited Naturopathic medicine schools in the USA and Canada who only accept graduate students with Bachelors degree in the Biological Sciences, then go through a 4-year Naturopathic Doctor (N.D) course at a cost of in excess of $300,000. These are full-time students in campuses who can obviously afford this vast amount of money.
This is a good path to take if you have the funding and the time to go through another 4 years after completing 3-4 years for your initial degree.
However, it is not for all! There are many mature students who are working or are parents of young children who want to learn through a blended learning approach – online, offline, videos, webinars as well as clinical training – we cater to these students and they are no less inferior to those of the elite schools. Some of these will become excellent health practitioners and help many sick people in need.
The only difference is that you will not be allowed to join the elite associations that only accept graduates from these 8 schools – nor other graduates from any other schools or university in the world!
When you qualify from these elite schools you are entitled to use the title “Naturopathic Licensed Physician” as opposed to “Naturopathic Certified Practitioners” that go through our courses.
7) What is the difference between a Naturopathic Licensed Physicians training and the Naturopathic Certified Practitioners that your school teaches in terms of their training?
In terms of clock hours of training, not much difference. In terms of the curriculum, the Naturopathic Licensed Physicians will cover more biomedical science courses, but overall less of a variety of naturopathy courses that we cover such as toxicology, detoxification protocols, energy medicine and bioresonance, nutritional microscopy and other topics that we cover in a lot more depth.
Naturopathic Certified Practitioners are still allowed to practice in most countries of the world as long as they belong to an association in their country that recognises their training, and have been through the course materials covered in our courses.
8) Can I join an association in my country after completing only the Bachelor’s degree?
The simple answer is yes, because it is a very comprehensive course that includes 190 US credits or 2,850 clock hours of training. Most laws of the land allow such qualified practitioners to work in their chosen speciality.
9) Will the degree that I obtain from the Da Vinci Institute be enough for the requirements of most Associations?
As far as the number of US credits and clock hours are concerned, yes! However, most Naturopathic Associations in different countries require many hours of clinical practice and they are justified. No Naturopathic practitioner can become a competent Naturopath just be taking online courses alone, without working under an experienced mentor in a Holistic clinical practice seeing live patients and discussing cases. This is imperative, and this is why most credible Associations in most countries around the world will insist on this.
This is why we strongly encourage our students to find a Naturopathic or Holistic Center near their home and spend as many hours working under supervision with a qualified Naturopath. These hours will be recorded and placed in your transcript. It is not difficult by the time a student completes their Bachelor’s degree to clock up 200 – 300 hours of clinical practice in one of these centers. This is invaluable training, but also a prerequisite for many Associations around the world. We will review these centers to ascertain their credibility before accepting them as a “Training Center” for our students.
There is off course an opportunity of spending some of these hours at the Da Vinci Holistic Health Center in Larnaca, Cyprus, under the supervision of Dr Georgiou who is the Founder of the Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine, and an experienced Holistic Medicine practitioner.
9) Why would a student want to go on to a Doctoral degree in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine?
Basically for the same reasons that a Bachelor’s student in another subject would want to go on to the Masters and then the Doctoral degree.
To expand their knowledge base, to delve deeper into topics of interest, to research other topics of interest, to conduct research with the purpose of discovering new information and publishing this in peer-reviewed journals and to gain the prestigious title of “Dr” that they can officially use as an accolade when addressing themselves.
Receiving a Doctor of Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine is going to make you an experienced health practitioner with a huge knowledge-base that is second to none.
10) Are the courses different in each of the degree courses – the Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees?
Yes, absolutely! Each degree has to cover 3 major topics of the 9 topics that the World Health Organization has stipulated as being compulsory training for a Naturopath. So, 3 of these topics are covered in each of the degrees, along with many other related topics.
Each degree course adds to your knowledge-base and experience – there is no repetition of knowledge or experience in the different degrees.
The 9 major topics that the World Health Organization has stipulated as being important for Naturopaths to cover are:
| 1. Naturopathy | |
| 2.Botanical Pharmacy/ Herbal Medicine | |
| 3. Nutritional Medicine | |
| 4. Osteopathic Medicine | |
| 5. Physical Therapy/Massage | |
| 6. Chiropractic | |
| 7. Orthopedics | |
| 8. Homeopathy | |
| 9. Energy & Vibrational Medicine |
Feel free to send us other FAQ’s!
Naturopaths vs Naturopathic Doctors
The following Q&A is designed to provide clarification on two of the main titles used within the profession – naturopath and naturopathic doctor. These questions were taken from an encyclical prepared by the World Naturopathic Federation
The following are how the terms “naturopath” and “naturopathic doctor” are translated throughout the world:
Naturopath –Naturópata, licenciado en Naturopatia, Naturópata Licenciado, Heilpraktiker, Naturheilpraktiker, Naturopathe, Naturopata, Naturista, Educateur de santé Naturopathe or Praticien de santé Naturopathe, Naturopatijo, Naturopaat, Naturopat, Naturopaatti Luonnonparantaja, Φυσικοπαθητικός, HP, N.L.
Naturopathic Doctor – Naturopathic Physician, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Doctor Naturopático, Doctor en Naturopatía, Naturópata con Doctorado, ND, DNM.
Q1: What is the main difference between a naturopath and a naturopathic doctor?
A1: The term “naturopath” is the original term used to describe a practitioner within the naturopathic profession. The term “naturopathic doctor” is used in some regions of the world, generally to describe a naturopathic practitioner that has completed a more extensive naturopathic educational program with a doctorate degree and that practices in a region where the title “naturopathic doctor” is permitted in the regulation of the naturopathic profession in that area. It is important to note that the term
“naturopathic doctor” and/or “naturopathic medicine” does not exist or can´t be used due to regulation in some regions of the world. Some countries have extensive naturopathic educational programs but the title used is Naturopath.
Q2: Is there any difference in the naturopathic principles, philosophy or theories that are taught to naturopaths or naturopathic doctors?
A2: The naturopathic profession has a strong history and tie to its principles, philosophies and theories. Based on the global surveys conducted by the WNF in 2015 and 2016, the six naturopathic principles are consistent across all naturopathic programs and across all countries. Also, in 83% of the naturopathic programs, naturopathic principles and philosophy are taught either as a stand-alone module or they are both stand-alone and integrated into other aspect of the naturopathic curriculum.
Although there is some variation in naturopathic philosophies and theories, there is a core group that is consistent across naturopathic programs and countries. The core naturopathic philosophies and theories Vital Force (vis vitalis) / Theory of Vitality, Integration of the Individual – spiritual, psychological, functional, structural (Mind, Body, Spirit) and Naturopathy Cures – detoxification, revitalization, stabilization and regeneration were taught in 96% of the programs; Value of Fever 89%; Therapeutic Order 85%; Naturopathic Triad of Health and Unity of Disease 81%; Hering’s Law of Cure and Theory of Toxemia 78%; Humoral Theory 74%; and Theory of Complex Systems and Emunctories / Emunctory Theory were taught in 67% of the programs.
Please check out the WNF survey reports for more detailed information – http://worldnaturopathicfederation.org/wnf-publications/
Q3: Is there any difference in what is taught in the different naturopathic programs.
A3: 100% of all naturopathic programs include the core components of basic sciences; clinical sciences; naturopathic history, philosophy, principles and theories; naturopathic disciplines and all programs include a practical clinical component. The differences occur in the number of hours that each program spends in each component. The
variation is based on the length of program, the current regulatory and political environment in each country and the geographical area more so than whether the program graduates “naturopaths” or “naturopathic doctors”.
Q4: Is there any difference in how a naturopath or naturopathic doctor diagnoses or assesses patients?
A4: All naturopathic programs teach diagnosis and assessment. Those diagnostic methods essential to primary care and adequate diagnostic skills – clinical assessments and physical exams were included in 88% and 86% respectively of all programs. Some core diagnostic methods, such as physical exams and laboratory testing were reported to be limited in some regions due to government regulations. High consistency was shown in clinical assessment (standard medical assessment including auscultation, palpation, percussion, observation (tongue, skin, nails, eyes), neurological exam, cardiovascular exam, etc. at 92%; physical exams at 85%; laboratory testing (blood, urine, hair, sweat, saliva, stool, etc. at 80%; Iridology 72%; Biotypology and somatotypese at 62%; Traditional humoral diagnosis (including urine and pulse at 59%; and Traditional Chinese diagnosis (including tongue and pulse) at 57%.
There is a tendency for longer naturopathic programs, primarily those that are training naturopathic doctors to include more hours on the medical assessment aspects of practice, such as physical exams and laboratory testing. Whereas programs that are training naturopaths often emphasize the more subtle assessment tools such as iridology or tongue diagnosis.
Part of the variation in naturopathic practice between a naturopath and a naturopathic doctor is due to the regulatory and political environment in each jurisdiction and country. For example, naturopathic doctors in North America are trained as primary care practitioners. That is, they have the regulatory freedom and responsibility to diagnose. Whereas, in many regions in Europe, naturopaths are not allowed to diagnose and are limited in the scope of assessment that they can conduct, i.e., they are not
permitted to do pelvic floor exams.
Q5: Is there any difference in how naturopaths and naturopathic doctors treat their patients.
A5: The naturopathic profession has always been recognized as an eclectic profession. In fact, one of the strengths of the naturopathic profession is its focus and ability to integrate the traditional therapies of each country into its practice. Although there is variation in the therapies used by naturopaths and naturopathic doctors there are seven core therapies: clinical nutrition, applied nutrition, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, physical modalities including massage, soft tissue techniques or physical manipulation, counselling and naturopathic psychotherapy and homeopathy. The actual therapies used tends to reflect more the region and country than whether or not a practitioner is a naturopath or a naturopathic doctor.
Q6: Why is it important to distinguish between a naturopath and a naturopathic doctor?
A6: What is important is recognizing that both terms are used globally in the naturopathic profession. Distinguishing between a naturopath and a naturopathic doctor is important for accreditation and regulation. It helps government decide the level of training and the scope of practice for each profession.
Although there is a high degree of similarity in the topics taught within the different naturopathic programs, there is can be a difference in the depth of knowledge especially as it relates to the clinical and diagnostics sciences. The length of a naturopathic program often correlates with the scope of practice allowed.. It is important to note, that the designation of “naturopath” does not always imply decreased educational standards. It is important to reference the educational standards and political considerations of each country.
Global Naturopathic Regulation
The World Naturopathic Federation has written a document entitled: Global Naturopathic Regulation
Books Written by Naturopaths
Q1. Are there many books that have been written by Naturopaths and Naturopathic Doctors?
A1. The simple answer is yes and the World Naturopathic Federation has compiled a comprehensive list in 2019
Research Written by Naturopaths
Q1. Has there been many research studies written by Naturopaths and Naturopathic Doctors?
A1. The answer is yes, although not as many as in allopathic medicine and other sciences as there tends to be more funding in these areas than in Natural Health. The World Naturopathic Federation has compiled a list of research studies recently.
Defining Naturopathic Terms
Read the compilation of Naturopathic Terms by the World Naturopathic Federation.
