Background: This descriptive study provides the first examination of global naturopathic education, regulation and practice frameworks that have potential to constrain or assist professional formation and integration in global health systems. Despite increasing public use, a significant workforce, and World Health Organization calls for national policy development to support integration of services, existent frameworks as potential barriers to integration have not been examined.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey utilized purposive sampling of 65 naturopathic organisations (educational institutions, professional associations, and regulatory bodies) from 29 countries. Organizational representatives completed an on-line survey, conducted between Nov 2016 - Aug 2019. Frequencies and cross-tabulation statistics were analyzed using SPSSv.25. Qualitative responses were hand-coded and thematically analysed where appropriate.
Results: Sixty-five of 228 naturopathic organizations completed the survey (29 per cent response rate) from 29 of 46 countries (63 per cent country response rate). Most education programs (68 per cent) were delivered via a national framework. Higher education qualifications (60 per cent) predominated. Organizations influential in education were professional associations (75.4 per cent), particularly where naturopathy was unregulated, and accreditation bodies (41.5 per cent) and regulatory boards (33.8 per cent) where regulated. Full access to controlled acts, and to health insurance rebates were more commonly reported where regulated. Attitude of decision-makers, opinions of other health professions and existing legislation were perceived to most impact regulation, which was globally heterogeneous.
Conclusion: Education and regulation of the naturopathic profession has significant heterogeneity, even in the face of global calls for consistent regulation that recognizes naturopathy as a medical system. Standards are highest and consistency more apparent in countries with regulatory frameworks.
Published abstract.
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