Denver (CBS4) – The death of Sean Flanagan caused quite a stir in 2003. He had been suffering from cancer and had been treated by a man who claimed to be a naturopathic doctor practicing in Wheat Ridge.
Sean’s father, David Flanagan, spoke to CBS4’s Rick Salinger about the disappointment three years later.
“Someone like Brian O’Connell claims to be a doctor, he uses the word doctor, he has doctor written on his scrubs and he wears a stethoscope like he’s someone important,” he said.
Flanagan died of cancer, but Brian O’Connell’s actions may have hastened his death.
He was sent to prison, and the state then passed a law registering naturopathic physicians, which specifically stated that naturopathic physicians could not identify themselves with the keyword “doctor.”
Dr. Mark Johnson sits on the board of directors of the Colorado Medical Association, which is uncomfortable with the term appearing on the websites of many naturopathic doctors in the state.
“In the state of Colorado, naturopathic doctors cannot claim to be medical doctors,” Johnson said.
CBS4 looked into other sites that mention “licensed naturopathic doctors.”
Naturopathic doctors are not licensed but are “registered” in Colorado and undergo a low level of vetting. Another naturopath on one website calls himself a “specialist.” CBS4 found yet another naturopathic doctor referring to himself as a “primary physician” on his own website. After CBS4’s investigation, that reference was changed.
Dr. Roanne Hack is president of the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
“Our members have been informed that the correct term is naturopathic doctor, not medical doctor,” she told CBS4 Investigator Rick Salinger.
Larry Thurner and Linda Rosa of Colorado Citizens for Scientific Medicine conducted an investigation of the website and allege that most naturopathic doctors are violating the Colorado Medical Practice Act and state law.
“Given their own arguments, it would be almost hard not to believe they were physicians,” Cerner said.
Some naturopaths claim they are licensed, but that’s not true — the state of Colorado says they are merely registered and are not heavily monitored.
Mr. Hack noted that patients sign disclosure forms making it clear that the surrogate is a physician, not a doctor. He said the group tries to make that clear to its members. Mr. Salinger showed him the results of the website’s survey.
“So many times we see them calling themselves doctors. Why?” Salinger said.
“Well, a lot of doctors have moved here from other states, like Oregon and Washington,” she said.
They may be called physicians there, but that is not recognized for naturopathic physicians in Colorado.
Due to new legislation passed earlier this year, naturopathic doctors can now also practice under the name “Registered Naturopathic Doctor” in Colorado.
Those registered are those who have graduated from a four-year college or university that certifies them as “naturopathic doctors.” Anyone calling themselves a “naturopathic doctor” but who has never attended such an institution is prohibited from using the words “doctor” or “physician.”
Statement from Colorado regulators:
Use of the terms “physician” and “naturopathic physician” violates Practice Law section 12-37.3-110(3) unless the practitioner is also licensed as a physician by the Colorado Medical Board. The Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Division of Professions and Occupations encourages consumers to file complaints about suspected misconduct, including concerns about the use of inappropriate titles. Complaints can be filed by visiting askDORA.colorado.gov and clicking “File a Complaint.”
