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An initial office visit is one hour and 15 minutes in length, during which time your naturopathic physician will gather detailed information about your health and lifestyle. Dr. Ghodsiannwill use this information to uncover the underlying cause of your illness. Pertinent physical exam or diagnostic testing will be used as needed to come to a solid diagnosis. It is helpful to bring any recent labs and current supplements or medications to the initial office visit. This will give Dr. Ghodsian a clear picture of everything you are taking, and will help her create an individualized treatment plan. Does Dr. Ghodsian work with other healthcare professionals? Yes, as a naturopathic physician, I work closely with other healthcare professionals including medical doctors and specialists, chiropractors, registered massage therapists, acupuncturists and physiotherapists, among others to provide the best possible care for my patients. Is naturopathic medicine covered under MSP or extended healthcare plans? Many extended healthcare plans cover naturopathic medicine visits and laboratory testing fees. I encourage you to learn the details of your specific plan. MSP partially covers the cost of your naturopathic medicine visit if you qualify for premium assistance under the medical services plan of BC. What type of education and training does a naturopathic physician have? After receiving a bachelor’s degree students can apply to 1 of the 5 accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America. Once accepted students begin a 4 year naturopathic medical program. The first 2 years of medical training are similar to that which medical doctors receive. The program involves intensive study in anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, pathology, pharmacology, immunology, embryology, infectious disease, and embryology. During this time, there is additional coursework in botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, counseling, physical therapy and spinal adjustment, hydrotherapy and massage. For a detailed naturopathic medicine curriculum, click here . The last 2 years of the program incorporates an in depth study of each body system and the accompanying naturopathic therapeutics. Students are also required to complete a minimum of 1500 hours of clinical patient practice. To compare program study hours between naturopathic and allopathic medical programs click here . Upon graduation, students are required to have completed 4500 hours of coursework and clinical study. In order to be licensed in the province of British Columbia each naturopathic medical school graduate must successfully pass 2 sets of national board exams on the basic medical sciences, clinical medical sciences and naturopathic therapeutics. Additionally, candidates must pass an oral clinical exam to assess competence in physical exam skills, orthopedic assessment, and emergency medicine. Where can more information on the practice of naturopathic medicine be found? Naturopathic organizations : BCNA – The British Columbia Naturopathic Association: A source of information on the profession and practice of naturopathic medicine in BC Phone: 604-736-6646 or 1-800-277-1128 CNPBC – The College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC: The licensing and regulatory body for the naturopathic medical profession in BC. Phone: 604-688-8236 CAND – The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors: The national association for licensed naturopathic doctors across Canada Phone: 416-496-8633 or 1-800-551-4381 AANP – The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians - Phone: 1-866-538-2267 Naturopathic Schools: Bastyr University- Kenmore, Washington National College of Naturopathic Medicine- Portland, Oregon Bouchir Institute of Naturopathic Medicine- Vancouver, BC Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine- Toronto, Ontario Naturopathic Examining Board : North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners
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