The Alberta government recently granted self-regulation for another alternative medical profession. The change has merit, but dances the fine line of endorsement for non-conventional and controversial practices.
Naturopathy treats ailments using natural therapies and substances opposed to medically prescribed drugs. During assessment and prior to diagnosis, the practitioner considers a patient’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual state.
The profession was granted self-governance at the end of July under the Health Professions Act (HPA), which has established colleges for 26 of the 33 medical professions in the province.
Naturopaths governed themselves for many years as an association, but as a self-regulating body must now report to the provincial government on an annual basis and must adhere to rules set out in the HPA.
These new requirements also detail a number of practices naturopaths and naturopathic doctors are permitted to perform as well as those they are prohibited from performing.
The restricted activities include prescribing drugs, ordering X-rays and ultrasounds and administering intravenous nutrition.
These regulatory bodies have the authority to set standards for professional practice, such as entry and ongoing professional development requirements, investigation of complaints and the use of professional titles.
The College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta – not unlike the colleges governing acupuncturists and chiropractors – will presumably ensure that Albertans receiving treatment are getting it from trained professionals.
Ensuring Albertans are receiving treatment from properly trained and educated practitioners is vital, as is having an investigation process when complaints are lodged.
At the same time, granting self-regulation acts as a seal of approval by elected officials, ultimately legitimizing and endorsing the profession and treatments offered to Albertans.
Following the June 25 announcement, the government issued a press release in which it described naturopathy as “effective.”
“New professional self-governance for naturopathic doctors means Albertans can be assured they are receiving safe, effective services from qualified professionals,” it said in its opening statement.
Although Health and Wellness Minister Fred Horne conceded the government’s job is to ensure safe practice rather than effective practice, he too went on to declare naturopathy’s effectiveness.
“By granting self-regulation, we’re attesting, as elected representatives, to the public that we believe the practices that will be engaged in by professionals are safe and that they’re effective and that they meet the highest possible standard,” he said.
The effectiveness of any practice – whether it is conventional medicine or alternative medicine – must have a proven scientific basis.
By granting self-regulation, the government has portrayed to Albertans that naturopathy is a reputable, legitimate practice that will provide some sort of relief from their ailments.
Naturopathy, however, is not funded under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan and there are no intentions to introduce funding.
If naturopathy is in fact effective – as Horne and the press release lead citizens to believe – and is being recognized as such, one could raise the question of why it is not covered by or performed in the publicly funded health-care system.
Other non-conventional treatments including physiotherapy, chiropractics, acupuncture, massage therapy and homeopathy also remain unfunded, with the exception of seniors’ coverage for chiropractics.
Horne said an increased number of Albertans are seeking alternative choices in health care, moving towards practices like naturopathy. Perhaps this desire is a result of a lack of confidence in the publicly funded health-care system.
Instead of legitimizing controversial and unproven practices and encouraging Albertans to rely on alternatives, government efforts should be directed towards ensuring Albertans are confident in the publicly funded health-care system.
