2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 37. Professions and Occupations › Chapter 26. Naturopathic Physicians › Part 1. General › 37-26-103. Definitions

37-26-103. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Approved naturopathic medical college" means a college and program granting the degree of doctor of naturopathy or naturopathic medicine that:
(a) is accredited by the council on naturopathic medical education or another accrediting agency recognized by the United States department of education;
(b) has the status of candidate for accreditation with the accrediting agency; or
(c) has been approved by the board after an investigation that determines that the college or program meets education standards equivalent to those established by the accrediting agency and complies with the board's rules, which must require as a minimum a 4-year, full-time resident program of academic and clinical study.
(2) "Board" means the alternative health care board established in 2-15-1730.
(3) "Department" means the department of labor and industry provided for in 2-15-1701.
(4) "Homeopathic preparations" means substances and drugs prepared according to the official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, which is the standard homeopathic text recognized by the United States food and drug administration.
(5) (a) "Minor surgery" means the use of:
(i) operative, electrical, or other methods for the surgical repair and care incidental to superficial lacerations and abrasions, superficial lesions, and the removal of foreign bodies located in the superficial tissues; and
(ii) antiseptics and local anesthetics in connection with the methods.
(b) Minor surgery does not include general or spinal anesthetics, major surgery, surgery of the body cavities, or specialized surgeries, such as plastic surgery, surgery involving the eyes, or surgery involving tendons, ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels.
(6) (a) "Naturopathic childbirth attendance" means the specialty practice of natural childbirth by naturopathic physicians that includes the use of therapeutic substances, ophthalmic antibiotics, oxytocin (pitocin), and minor surgery, as set by board rules.
(b) The term does not include a forceps delivery, general or spinal anesthesia, or a cesarean section.
(7) "Naturopathic medicine", "naturopathic health care", or "naturopathy" means a system of primary health care practiced by naturopathic physicians for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human health conditions, injury, and disease. Its purpose is to promote or restore health by the support and stimulation of the individual's inherent self-healing processes. This is accomplished through education of the patient by a naturopathic physician and through the use of therapies and therapeutic substances.
(8) "Naturopathic physical applications" means the therapeutic use by naturopathic physicians of the actions or devices of electrical muscle stimulation, galvanic, diathermy, ultrasound, ultraviolet light, constitutional hydrotherapy, and naturopathic manipulative therapy.
(9) "Naturopathic physician" means a person authorized and licensed to practice naturopathic health care under this chapter.
(10) "Topical drugs" means topical analgesics, anesthetics, antiseptics, scabicides, antifungals, and antibacterials.
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 306, L. 1991; amd. sec. 3(2), Ch. 524, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 132, Ch. 483, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 236, L. 2023.