Alberta’s health minister is facing backlash after attending a conference focused on the role of naturopathic medicine in primary care in the province.
Adriana Lagrange posted a photo on social media this week with Rob Ross, dean of the Alberta College of Naturopathic Medicine.
Medical experts are perplexed by the meeting.
“Naturopathy doctors have no place in primary care,” said Timothy Caulfield, a public health professor at the University of Alberta.
“We are not going to solve our health system’s problems by embracing alternative medicine or unproven treatments. We need sufficient evidence to light the way forward.”
Mr Caulfield, who has studied the specialty extensively, believes that treatments should not be funded publicly, but he is concerned.
Alberta’s premier has previously said the province needs more room for alternative medicine in its system.
“We were just talking about the role of naturopathic doctors in Alberta,” Lagrange said. “(Ross) was highlighting all the great work they were doing, and that was the extent of the conversation.”
“I’m not promoting anything.”
Naturopathic doctors accept patients seeking health-related help and usually advise them to use “natural-leaning” non-drug methods.
The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Physicians states that the purpose of this treatment is to stimulate the body’s own healing powers to fight the underlying cause of the disease.
Treatments include dietary and lifestyle advice, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, and acupuncture.
Caulfield insists there is “no science” in the strategy.
“This is a practice based on pseudoscience and the vitalist idea that nature heals,” he told CTV News.
“Throughout most of its history, unproven treatments have been an accepted practice. Naturopathic doctors still offer homeopathy (which is scientifically irrational), ozone therapy, detox, etc. today.”
“It’s really rooted in pseudoscience.”
Ross balks at the idea.
“(The meeting) was that patients could add items to patient care if they wanted to,” he said. “It’s just understanding that people have different values about how they want to approach their health.”
Ross said the university approached LaGrange about the conference as a way to “complement” primary care as AHS reorganizes.
“Can we help fill the gap that currently exists?” he said. “I think the government recognizes that there are serious problems to solve and definitely has the boldness, courage and innovative strategies to do so.”
More than 300 naturopathic doctors work in Alberta. This profession is self-regulated and visits are not covered by public health insurance.
“This is a legitimate profession and there’s good training behind it,” Ross said.
