What is this nature-thing you are doing?

Naturopathic medicine. Uhmmm....what is it you do? Yes, I usually have to repeat the name of my career path at least twice along with a mini explanation. I am OK with it as it may lead into an opportunity to educate a little about naturopathic medicine. Most seem to be open to hearing what I do but I think there is usually this underlying thought of 'she is doing some sort of witchcraft vodo stuff.' I can sympathize with this thought process so I want to enlighten you a little bit.

My school is the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (BINM) http://www.binm.org/, which is one of the 2 accredited naturopathic medical schools in Canada (5 in the USA).  It is located along the pristine Fraser River in New Westminster in the Columbia Skytrain Station. Yes, we are in a concrete building but we are super close to the skytrain station ;) In order to be accepted to the program, you need a bachelor degree with the pre-med requirements (excluding physics but who really needs it). From there we are locked into a 4 year program, 6 hours a day 5 days a week. First and second year are gruelling with courses covering Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Orthopedic Testing, Biochemistry (fun nutrition as we say), Pharmacology, and Physiology to name a few. In addition, we learn Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture), Botanical Medicine (herbs), Homeopathy, Chiropractic manipulation (osseous manipulation we say), massage therapy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and nutrition to just skim the surface. Our professors are either naturopathic doctors, medical doctors, UBC professors or those who specialize in specific modalities.

After second year, we have two years to work in our student clinic, which is located in the same building. We do hundreds of hours within our clinic as well as work with professional health care practioners outside of our clinic. Our clinical studies range from clinical ecology, dermatology, genetics, geriatrics, gynecology, obsetrics, and pediatrics. There is a rumour we be introducing midwifery studies into our school!

Once graduated, we can use any of these modalities, including prescribing pharmaceuticals (only ND’s in B.C),  pending on completion of two sets of board exams called NPLEX. One set after 2^nd year and one set after 4^th year. These exams are written by the North America Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) http://www.nabne.org/. The scope of naturopathic medicine is regulated by a governing body: Council on Naturopathic Medical Education http://www.cnme.org/. We are watched by hawks ;)

You may be a bit more enlightened by what a naturopathic doctor is required to go through. It is a LONG road but well worth it in the end.