Practice patterns of naturopathic physicians: results from a random survey of licensed practitioners in two US States
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey and consecutive patient visit registry
OpenAlex W1837832081 · doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-14
What was done
Telephone interviews were conducted with a state-wide random sample of licensed naturopathic physicians in Washington State and Connecticut, and consecutive patient visit data were recorded during 1998 and 1999. The study assessed physician characteristics, patient demographics, clinical reasons for visits, ordered diagnostic tests, prescribed treatments, payment methods, and visit length.
What was found
Interviews were completed by 170 practitioners, with 99 logging a total of 1,817 patient visits. Practitioners and patients were predominantly White and female. Nearly 75% of visits addressed chronic complaints (most commonly fatigue, headache, and back symptoms). Diagnostic tests such as complete blood counts, serum chemistries, lipid panels, and stool analyses were ordered in 4% to 10% of visits, with other tests ordered less often. The most frequent therapeutics prescribed were botanical medicines (51% of visits in CT, 43% in WA), vitamins (41% in CT, 43% in WA), minerals (35% in CT, 39% in WA), homeopathy (29% in CT, 19% in WA), and allergy treatments (11% in CT, 13% in WA). Average visit duration was about 40 minutes, and approximately 50% of visits were paid directly out-of-pocket by patients.
Why it matters
This study provides empirical baseline data characterizing common clinical presentations, consultation lengths, and treatment modalities utilized by licensed naturopathic physicians in outpatient practice.
Limits
Data were gathered from only two states in 1998–1999, limiting geographic and temporal generalizability. Only 99 of the 170 interviewed physicians completed the visit logs, creating potential response bias. The study design relied on self-reported logs and did not evaluate clinical outcomes, efficacy, or safety.
Cited by
- supports The naturopathic medical profession is composed predominantly of women.