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In response to the question of whether this change in law will make ND's less "Natural" or unique, I would like to make a comparison.  Currently, I feel that ND's have essentially been asked to practice primary care medicine with one hand tied behind our backs.  When the best approach may require a medication that is not on our formulary, we have to either send to patient to a MD, or find the 2nd best alternative.  While I do prescribe medications when warranted, I do this approximately 20 times a year.  My forte is using the plethora of naturopathic therapies which work incredibly well to prompt innate healing mechanisms in the patient.  This will not change when my prescriptive rights expand.

In response to the question of training, the ND program allows and encourages students to do a portion of our clinical training with MDs and DOs, therefore we do receive a wide range of clinical experience, not necessarily only with NDs.

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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As a licensed ND, I am pleased at the change in prescriptive rights.  This change enables patients who are choosing a naturopath as their primary care doctor to have all their health care needs met by one doctor.  I have had many problems with coordination of care due to my inability to manage medications that my patients are taking(that have been previously prescribed by a MD).  In addition, ND's work to improve the overall health of their patients, often eventually enabling patients to reduce or discontinue their medications.  This benefits the patient and reduces the financial burden of long-term medication management on the health care system.

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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