Alberta naturopathic doctors are calling for greater involvement in the province’s primary care network, particularly when it comes to prescribing medications to patients.
“There are some changes happening in the primary care landscape in Alberta,” Rob Ross, president of the Alberta Naturopathic Physicians Association, told CBC News in an interview this week.
“We wanted to discuss [Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange] and how naturopathic health professionals can help manage primary care, if needed.”
With that in mind, Ross said he met with LaGrange recently to discuss what role naturopaths could play in easing the strain on the system.Primary health care refers to the services Albertans use to support their day-to-day health needs.
“If you look immediately west, naturopathic doctors in British Columbia have much fuller primary care practices and I think the regulations there are more proportionate to their training,” Ross said.
“They can prescribe Schedule I medications, make referrals and order filming rights.”
In 2009, British Columbia passed legislation allowing naturopathic doctors to prescribe Schedule I medicines, which includes some essential primary care medications, with some exceptions.
Naturopathic practice refers to a loose collection of medical treatments that emphasize the use of “natural” therapies. The Alberta Naturopathic Doctors Association states that the practice “combines modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural therapies.”
Treatments include clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, according to the association.
In Alberta, naturopathic medicine has been regulated since 2012, when the Alberta Naturopathic Doctors Association was formed to govern the profession.
This has drawn criticism from the medical community, some of whom say naturopaths are using pseudoscientific treatments. Some of these disputes have even made the news. Naturopaths have long maintained that their practices aim to activate the body’s natural healing processes.
LaGrange will utilize “all medical professionals”
In his July mission statement, Alberta Premier Daniel Smith directed LaGrange to support primary care as the foundation of the health-care system by “evaluating alternative care models and leveraging all health-care professionals.”
Smith has spoken out in the past in support of funding naturopathic medicine. Some of her ideas We are considering implementing a $300 Health Savings Account to cover expenses not currently covered by the scheme. Exploring the feasibility of such an account was also part of Governor LaGrange’s mandate letter.
Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange told reporters on Wednesday that she is meeting with various stakeholders, including naturopathic doctors. (CBC)
CBC News has reached out to LaGrange’s office for comment on what specific role naturopaths might play in primary care going forward and whether funding for alternative medicine, such as through health expenditure accounts, is being considered.
Department spokeswoman Charlotte Tyrone said ministers had listened to Mr Ross’s request but had not made any decisions about funding.
“The Alberta government recognizes the role that naturopathic physicians play in promoting the health and wellness of Albertans,” Tyrone wrote, adding that he has heard requests from “many stakeholders” over the past few months since taking over as health minister.
The idea of naturopaths prescribing medicines is controversial
One of naturopathic medicine’s most vocal critics is Timothy Caulfield, Canada chair of health law and policy studies at the University of Alberta, who said giving naturopaths prescribing rights in Alberta would not only be controversial but also a “terrible idea.”
“I can’t stress enough that this is not science-based. Giving them prescribing rights? That’s horrible,” Caulfield said in an email.
Timothy Caulfield, a Canada Research Fellow in health law and policy at the University of Alberta, said he worries about pseudoscience becoming the norm, something that should be avoided in an age of misinformation.(Sam Martin/CBC)
For Caulfield, the problem dates back to the practice being founded on the theory of “vitalism”, which suggests there is a life-force energy that can help people become healthier.
Controversial alternative treatments that have been used include intravenous vitamin therapy, homeopathy and ozone therapy, all of which lack solid scientific evidence.
“Also, test results that are often unproven and can increase anxiety or lead people in the wrong direction, so there are a lot of problems with legitimizing and standardizing naturopathic medicine as a way forward within the conventional system,” Caulfield said in an interview.
Future efforts and lobbying
In addition to Ross’s meeting with the health minister, other groups are pushing for naturopathic doctors to play a larger role in Alberta’s health-care system. According to Alberta Lobbyist Registry records dated Oct. 31, the Alberta Naturopathic Doctors Association is registered to meet with the Alberta Executive Committee, the Alberta Ministry of Health and the Alberta Legislature.
The goal is to lobby “for naturopathic physicians’ role in the medical continuum and for regulatory and scope of practice updates to modernize the profession.”
Of course, Ross has heard concerns that naturopathic medicine may include legitimate medical procedures, but it also includes additional areas of treatment that are outside the scope of science.
He argued that much of what naturopaths are taught in school is based in primary care.
“I believe it’s important and an obligation for us as professionals to stay up to date with what’s in the literature in terms of what works and what doesn’t,” he said.
“And making sure that the treatments we’re offering are effective, have good scientific literature about them, and are also something that patients want.”
The Alberta Naturopathic Doctors Association registered as lobbyists on Oct. 31 and has met with the Alberta Executive Committee, the Alberta Ministry of Health and the Alberta Legislature. (David Badger/CBC)
Caulfield isn’t convinced by this view, calling it a “false dichotomy”. While some elements of naturopathic medicine are scientifically backed, such as the emphasis on the benefits of exercise, sleep and nutrition, he says it’s something GPs should be doing.
“Maybe doctors should do more of this, but good family doctors are doing it, and the whole public health system is emphasizing that these strategies are evidence-based,” Caulfield said.
“You can’t solve the problems that exist in the traditional system with pseudoscience.”
Asked for further comment at the Alberta legislature on Wednesday, LaGrange said he had discussed with Ross the role of naturopathic physicians in Alberta.
“He was just highlighting all the great work they’re doing and that was the only conversation,” LaGrange said.
A spokesman for the Alberta Medical Association declined to comment.
