naturopathydigest.com -- Profession on the Rise

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Profession on the Rise

Survey shows number of CNME-accredited NDs has nearly doubled in the past five years.

Kathryn Feather, Associate Editor

In February 2006, researchers replicated a 2001 study and found that the number of naturopathic physicians has increased significantly - from 2,100 in 2001 to 4,010 in 2006 - in the past five years in both the United States and Canada.

Donald Patrick Albert, PhD, and Daniel Martinez recently completed a workforce survey updating the previous estimate presented in the 2001 study, "Profile of a Profession: Naturopathic Practice." The 2001 study, by Hough, Dower and O'Neil, canvassed licensing boards and estimated there were 1,846 naturopathic physicians practicing in 16 licensed states and provinces, including Puerto Rico. They found another 255 NDs practicing in the remaining unlicensed states and provinces. The study concluded there were approximately 2,100 NDs in the U.S. and Canada in the fall of 2001.
The 2006 survey replicated the methodology and data sources of the 2001 study. In addition to contact-ing state licensing boards, Albert and Martinez also referenced the membership directories of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors. In both surveys, naturopathic physicians were defined as those who embrace scientific knowledge and use natural forms of medicine to treat the whole person: body, mind and spirit; and are graduates of accredited naturopathic schools (i.e., Bastyr University, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine).
Since the 2001 study, three more states California, Idaho and Kansas, and the District of Columbia have gained licensure. Four Canadian provinces, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, currently license naturopathic physicians. Overall, the 2006 study found a 91 percent growth rate compared to 2001. The U.S. outpaced Canada, 94 percent to 81 percent, although both made significant gains. The greatest gains came from Ontario (329 to 639), Arizona (127 to 487), Washington (427 to 784), Oregon (410 to 668) and Connecticut (106 to 200). California also provided impressive gains after only two years of licensure, growing to 158 NDs. Other states showing improvement include Utah (19 to 63), Maine (10 to 22), New Hampshire (19 to 38), Vermont (63 to 119) and Montana (41 to 66).
With the trend toward health and wellness only increasing and the number of naturopathic medical students steadily rising, these figures should continue to increase in the next five years.