Do you think naturopathic medicine should be replaced as our primary form of medicine? No? So does Dr. Joe Schwartz, a distinguished professor and author at McGill University. But because many believe naturopathic medicine has a legitimate fit in our health care system, Dr. Schwartz agreed to participate in a May 8 panel on the issue.th Held at McGill University in 2012. I was shocked to see that in the crowd of 200 there were very few medical professionals, scientists and students, mostly naturopathic supporters. My hope is that with more education on this issue and more discussions like this, we can further educate the public and perhaps develop a more logical approach to healthcare.
Healthcare in Quebec, and Canada for that matter, is far from perfect by any measure. While there is certainly a lot of room for improvement, turning to naturopathic medicine as the primary form of health care is certainly not the answer. In today’s difficult economy, our tax dollars are invaluable, as are health care resources. Leaving our medical care in the hands of naturopathic doctors is completely ridiculous, and in fact, as far as I’m concerned, it shouldn’t even be discussed.
Dr. Joe Schwartz did an admirable job of making a sound argument against the naturopathic doctor’s absurd suggestions, but the crowd, which was primarily made up of naturopathic doctors’ supporters, took Schwartz to task at every opportunity. He rudely interrupted the doctor. He chose a more modest approach and humbly allowed their attacks.
It’s beyond ridiculous that a professor at one of the world’s top medical schools, with legitimate, scientific evidence on his side, would be ridiculed by someone who essentially believes that a pill of water can cure all illnesses. Is not it?
Another accusation concerned overprescribing antibiotics and vaccinations. While there may certainly be some truth behind this, the truth is that there is still no concrete evidence to elicit long-term concerns when it comes to vaccination. It has been confirmed that they have no negative effects. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, both simple and life-threatening, and this is true. Given the unsanitary conditions in developing countries, this fact makes sense given that antibiotics could save millions of lives if more doctors, real doctors, administered antibiotics. It seemed to be overlooked by therapists.
Finally, when he started comparing schools of naturopathic medicine to Yale, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford, it became seemingly obvious that this naturopathic doctor was probably slightly less educated. I did. He was saying that naturopathic medicine schools are better than the top medical schools in the world. I would be very interested to know if this naturopathic “doctor” himself has had any treatment. This is because the medical treatment he would have received was likely synthesized at the medical school he was criticizing. Additionally, cutting-edge research into today’s biggest killers such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and malaria is conducted in these facilities, and I’m pretty sure the invention of the water pill by naturopaths is unmatched. I’m confident.
One of my favorite quotes of the night was when Dr. Schwartz suggested, “Maybe you’re drawing the wrong conclusion from the right result.” Psychologists and doctors would agree that the placebo effect is, in fact, one of the most powerful effects causing what many call “medical miracles.” Therefore, when naturopathic substances have been scientifically studied and proven to have no effect on the human body, why do these so-called “doctors of naturopathic medicine” simply ignore the significant evidence of the placebo effect? Is it? I think the answer to that question is, frankly, they’re not doctors at all, far from doctors. So, as far as I’m concerned, I don’t think the words “naturopathy” and “primary health care” should be used in the same sentence, much less actually implemented.
