Tremendous technical advances in surgery promoted by two world wars were able to convince both the public and politicians of the apparent superiority of their system, resulted in the passing of legislation that severely restricted the availability of other health care systems. At this time, we are in the middle of what appears to be a health care revolution. Many people today think of Naturopathic Medicine as a fad that will soon pass away. The fact is that it has been around for several centuries. In this day and age the education of the Naturopathic Physician is the best that it has ever been.
Training begins with a conventional pre-medical education.
The student progresses to a 4-year thoroughly accredited, scientifically based medical school program. The first two years concentrate on standard medical school sciences such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, etc. The second two years are oriented toward the clinical sciences, diagnosis and treatment. Standard medical techniques are taught along with mainstay naturopathic medical therapies. The end product of a Naturopathic Medical School Program is a well rounded family care physician that can use such therapies as nutrition, botanical medicines, homeopathy, acupuncture, natural childbirth, hydrotherapy, fasting, physical therapy, exercise therapy, counseling and lifestyle modification, and integrate these therapies with conventional medical therapies when appropriate.