title: Naturopathic physicians: holistic primary care and integrative medicine specialists.
abstract: The use of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is increasing in the United States; there is a need for physician level practitioners who possess extensive training in both CAM and conventional medicine. Naturopathic physicians possess training that allows integration of modern scientific knowledge and the age-old wisdom of natural healing techniques. Naturopathic philosophy provides a framework to implement CAM in concert with conventional therapies. The naturopathic physician's expertise in both conventional medicine and CAM allows a practice style that provides excellent care through employing conventional and CAM modalities while utilizing modern research and evidence-based medicine.
authors.affiliation: National College of Natural Medicine, Helfgott Research Institute, Portland, Oregon, OR 97201, USA. litchy818@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Litchy
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D055048:Integrative Medicine; D009324:Naturopathy; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D013038:Specialization; D014481:United States