title: Naturopathic Oncology Modified Delphi Panel.
abstract: Naturopathic oncology is a relatively new and emerging field capable of providing professional integrative or alternative services to cancer patients. Foundational research is critical to identify topics in the clinical and research development of naturopathic oncology for future growth of the field.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study implements a modified Delphi protocol to develop expert consensus regarding ethics, philosophy, and research development in naturopathic oncology.
  
  
  METHODS
  The modified protocol implements a nomination process to select a panel of 8 physicians and to assist in question formulation. The protocol includes an in-person discussion of 6 questions with multiple iterations to maintain the concept of the Delphi methodology as well as a postdiscussion consensus survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The protocol identified, ranked, and established consensus for numerous themes per question. Underlying key topics include integration with conventional medicine, evidence-based medicine, patient education, patient safety, and additional training requirements for naturopathic oncologists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The systematic nomination and questioning of a panel of experts provides a foundational and educational resource to assist in clarification of clinical ethics, philosophy, and research development in the emerging field of naturopathic oncology.
authors.affiliation: Helfgott Research Institute, National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR, USA jhill5095@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Helfgott Research Institute, National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hodsdon
authors.affiliation: Denver Naturopathic Clinic, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schor
authors.affiliation: Vital Victoria Naturopathic Clinic, Victoria, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McKinney
authors.affiliation: Naturopathic Specialists, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.affiliation: Ottawa Integrative Cancer Center, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Dugald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seely
authors.affiliation: Integrated Health Clinic, Fort Langley, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Gurdev
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parmar
authors.affiliation: Western Regional Medical Center, Goodyear, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Birdsall
authors.affiliation: Naturopathic Specialists, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alschuler
authors.affiliation: Tahoma Clinic, Tukwila, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Davis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lamson
authors.affiliation: Western Regional Medical Center, Goodyear, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Shauna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Birdsall
authors.affiliation: Helfgott Research Institute, National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zwickey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D032921:Consensus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009324:Naturopathy / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Delphi; complementary and alternative medicine; ethics; integrative; medicine; naturopathic; oncology; philosophy; research