4107.1: Tuesday, November 18, 2003: 12:30 PM-2:00 PM | |||
Oral | |||
| |||
| The impending passage of California SB907, by Senate President Pro Tem John Burton (D-SF), will mark a major shift in this large state's health policy regarding alternative & complementary health practices (ACHP). In the dozen or so states that already license ND's, they are authorized (just as MD's and DO's) to diagnose and treat. However, their treatment modalities are limited to natural methods. Licensed ND's attend 4-year naturopathic medical schools with curricula that parallel those of allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, with progressively increasing clinical responsibilities under progressively less-direct supervision. This contrasts with other kinds of naturopathic practitioners, who typically send away for mail order degrees, sometimes attached to distance learning programs of variable rigor. Naturopathic practice acts help the public distinguish between these 2 very different types of practitioner, each of whom use the common descriptor "naturopathic." With the expected passage of the CA Naturopathic Practice act (SB 907), a variety of research opportunities will present themselves: A large "natural" experiment that offers the opportunity for time series comparisons, for example. With the passage of Naturopathic licensure in California, the entire west coast of the US will offer this kind of care to it's residents, in contrast to the east coast, where almost none of the states do. Specific aspects of the CA act will be examined for its potential effects on vital statistics and disease reporting, as well as other public health implications. Senator Burton will be invited to the panel, as well as representatives from the Pew Center for the Health Professions at UCSF, relevant regional offices of the USPHS and naturopathic and other relevant professional organizations. | |||
| Learning Objectives: 1. Understanding of the naturopathic profession(s) and different state approaches to regulation, with emphasis on California's new practice act. 2. Understanding some of the research opportunities presented by the significant change in the practice environment represented by recent passage of SB 907 (Healing Arts, Naturopathic Doctors). | |||
| Alan I. Trachtenberg, MD, MPH | |||
| Organized by: | Alternative and Complementary Health Practices | ||
| Endorsed by: | Medical Care; Socialist Caucus | ||
| CE Credits: | Health Education (CHES) | ||