TRADITIONAL NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

By Brittany Brown

Job Overview
A naturopath is a doctor that combines using traditional healing practices and current knowledge of the human health. The main focus of naturopathic medicine is treating the underlying cause of illness to improve the overall health of patients, using natural remedies. They first will find out the symptoms of the illness and where they are being affected, and then look for the root of the problem, to improve overall health instead of just eliminating the problem on the surface. There are 6 principles regarding naturopathic medicine. You must trust in your body, as it knows what its doing, and can heal itself with help from natural remedies. Treat the root of the cause, beyond just the symptoms. Use the most natural, un-toxic therapies possible. Educate your patients about treating themselves, so that they can achieve good health independently in the long term. Treat the patients body as a whole, paying attention to treating overall health. Focus on the prevention of disease and illness. For some of the day, the doctor will be on their feet to examine and treat patients, and for part of the day they will also be at a desk doing paperwork.

Working Conditions
Some naturopathic doctors work in private practices (private clinics), but others choose to work in hospitals or other clinics. Sometimes lifting things will be required (up to 10 kilograms).

Since some doctors work in private practices, they might set their own hours, but for their patients convenience working evenings and weekends is common. They can work any time of the year since it is in an indoor setting.
Clothing required depends on where you work. In a hospital you would probably be required some type of uniform, but in private practice just formal/casual clothing would be needed.

Salary
The average salary a naturopathic doctor can expect ranges between $40,918$96,460 annually, and an hourly wage of $25.7 - $53.7. Self-employed naturopathic doctors however, can earn a higher annual salary then doctors employed in a private practice. They can have an average annual salary from between $58,958 and $101,736. Those in a private practice can have an annual salary of $38,884 to $82,782.

Future Outlook
More and more research is being done to support the therapies and practices used by naturopathic doctors. Because of this, the public demand for more NDs is increasing as more and more people become open to the more natural approach of health care.

Post Secondary
Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine. I would take the Naturopathic doctor (ND) program, for a professional degree. Its located in New Westminster, which appeals to me because its not too far away, so it would be easier to travel to. Its a naturopathic doctor program.

Cost
The tuition fees for a 4 year program is $23,933. The cost of required and recommended books for the full four years averages between $3,000 - $5,000. Students are also required to have a laptop, at their own cost. There also a few other fees such as graduation fees, clinic supplies, travel and accommodation, which equal to over $3000-$4000 for the whole program.

Pre-requisites
There is a required GPA of minimum of 60% or C, though it is preferred that it is no less than 73% or B. The pre-requisites include biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, psychology, and English.

Why a Naturopathic Doctor?

I have been interested in health for a long time, and a lot of that influence was from my mom. She knows a lot about this field of work, and I have learned a lot from her. I also have always been looking for a job in which I can help people in a big way, and I think this would be a great way to do that. I also am very supporting in using natural products.