Alberta Health Minister Fred Horne
Alberta has strengthened the powers of naturopathic doctors, giving them full status as medical professionals, but they are being held back by a lack of funding for treatments.
The move, primarily the creation of the Alberta Naturopathic Doctors Association, will allow the profession to self-regulate and exclude doctors who don’t meet certain standards.
Alberta Health Minister Fred Horne said there will likely be more private health insurance coverage for naturopathic treatments, and patients will likely be able to claim receipts as medical expenses on their tax returns. .
As part of the agreement, which took 14 years to negotiate, the state’s 144 naturopathic doctors agreed to a list of services they are not allowed to provide.
Alberta became the fifth province to establish a university and promote naturopathic medicine as a profession.
“This is a very important milestone for the profession and recognition of the knowledge and skills that association members bring to their work,” Horne said Wednesday, speaking at the Edmonton Central Naturopathic Clinic. said. “…This also reflects the recognition that a growing number of Albertans have for the services provided by naturopathic physicians.”
Horne said this measure will ensure Albertans have access to quality care. The now defunct National Association of Naturopathic Doctors, founded in 1944, previously had no means of disciplining people who were not qualified to practice as naturopathic doctors.
“We did this to ensure that practitioners of natural health services, just as Albertans visit doctors and medical services, dentists and dental services, and other regulated professions. “I want them to feel comfortable with their education, abilities, and skills,” Horne said, adding that she had visited a naturopathic doctor herself “a number of years ago.”
The move was welcomed by experts.
“This is a great day for naturopathic doctors,” said Kim Lena, a naturopathic physician who hosted Horne’s presentation.
They will be allowed to administer injections. Minor surgery such as wart removal. Ear examination. With additional training, you can also perform other procedures such as intravenous therapy.
They cannot prescribe medicine or order X-rays.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta was one of the expert groups consulted on this change and supports it. “Regulating natural medicines protects the public and helps ensure consistent standards and quality, which is a win for professionals and patients alike,” spokeswoman Kelly Eby said in an email. Stated.
Naturopathic doctors undergo at least three years of “pre-medical education” before a four-year accredited professional program.
“We provide Albertans with a unique primary care system that is an art, a science, a philosophy, and the practice of diagnosing and evaluating disease, treating and intervening.” said Alyssa Gaul, a naturopathic doctor in Alberta who has 600 new patients. She will become the university’s first president. Naturopathic doctors typically focus on health, dietary issues, and herbal and homeopathic treatments, she said.
Asked whether the move would legitimize a profession with far more stringent educational requirements than traditional medicine (you don’t need to go to medical school to become a naturopathic doctor), Mr Horne said the government’s priorities were to He said the goal is not to regulate each profession, but to protect the people. Select sides.
“We’re not here to endorse any particular philosophy or treatment,” Horn said, noting that 24 medical professions, including acupuncture and massage therapy, have similar positions.
Marilyn Dussener (52) attended the announcement. She started seeing a naturopathic doctor two and a half years ago. She said the treatment was effective and praised the announcement.
“It’s a recognition that this is a legitimate field, a legitimate practice, and should be recognized in the same way as doctors,” she said, adding that she hopes it will be funded one day. Her doctor’s visit costs about $170, one-third of which is covered by her employer’s health insurance. Visiting a naturopathic doctor without insurance coverage is “a commitment,” she says.
But Horne hesitated when asked if the state would consider funding the treatment in the future.
“Well, not for the time being,” he said.
