SEATTLE, Oct. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Against the
backdrop of the International Day of Natural Medicine, the
Institute for Natural Medicine and the American Association of
Naturopathic Physicians today announced the joint publication of a
white paper designed to raise awareness of the principles of
naturopathic medicine and reaffirm the profession's commitment to a
collaborative model of clinical care. The paper, Naturopathic
Physicians as Whole Health Specialists, The Future is Whole Person
Health Care, provides supporting evidence for the profession's
significant contributions to preventive, whole-person care while
citing effective models of integrative practice that have called on
the expertise of naturopathic physicians in both primary and
specialty care environments.
The 44-page paper was issued at a time when the nation's
healthcare workforce is facing a significant undersupply of
physicians to meet the growing needs of a system encumbered by
pandemic-related requirements. The authors' intention is to
demonstrate how licensed naturopathic physicians, who have
graduated from accredited naturopathic medical schools, are
uniquely equipped to address this workforce dilemma, respond to
healthcare disparities, curb increasing costs, manage chronic
conditions, stimulate a passion for prevention and health promotion
strategies, and solve some of the challenges associated with
declining patient satisfaction in healthcare today.
"This white paper is a timely tool for informing the medical
community about naturopathic medicine and how it is strengthening
systems of care with evidence-based approaches for addressing
chronic disease," said Michelle
Simon, PhD, ND, president and chief executive officer of the
Institute for Natural Medicine and one of the paper's 11 section
contributors. "I have worked alongside medical doctors and other
healthcare providers throughout my 19 years in clinical practice;
our patients have come to rely on this multi-disciplinary approach,
and this paper reveals a clear roadmap for how collaboration among
naturopathic doctors and other healthcare providers can be
maximized in clinical, hospital, and academic settings," she
concluded.
The paper also features case studies that illustrate
naturopathic approaches to conditions such as Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disorder (GERD) and Long-Haul COVID-19, as well as a
research section that summarizes successful clinical outcomes in
patients with cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, depression,
type 2 diabetes, and other illnesses and diseases.
"Policymakers are scrambling to find ways to expand the
healthcare workforce, improve patient outcomes, and lower costs,"
said Laura Farr, executive director
of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and one of
the paper's contributors. "This white paper provides the framework
for how naturopathic medicine has the research behind it for cost
effectiveness and patient outcomes, and a foundation of preventive
patient-centered philosophy now known to be critical in achieving a
more effective healthcare system," she continued. "We call on all
policymakers to take immediate action to remove barriers in the
healthcare system currently preventing the rapid deployment of
naturopathic physicians into all healthcare environments."
Joining Dr. Simon and Ms. Farr as section contributors were Amy
Rothenberg, ND, DHANP; Arvin Jenab, ND; Coquina Deger, MBA; JoAnn
Yanez, ND, MPH, CAE; Julie Tran, ND, FAAEM, MBA; Melanie Henriksen,
ND, LAc, CNM; Moira Fitzpatrick, ND; Pamela Snider, ND;
Len Wisneski, MD, FACP; Susan Haeger and Kimberly Lord Stewart.
About the Institute for Natural Medicine
Founded in 1992 as a philanthropic foundation serving the
profession of natural medicine, the Institute for Natural Medicine
works for the transformation of the healthcare system by education
about and promotion of the principles and practices of natural
medicine.
About the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Founded in 1985, the American Association of Naturopathic
Physicians is the national professional society representing
licensed naturopathic doctors, naturopathic medicine students, and
other healthcare professionals allied with the naturopathic
profession.
Media Contact
Taryn Ernest, AANP, 1 2028496308,
taryn.ernest@naturopathic.org
Kim Stewart, Institute for
Natural Medicine, 303.579.8044, kim@naturemed.org
SOURCE American Association of Naturopathic Physicians