Comparing naturopathic doctors with medical doctors
Are naturopathic doctors “real doctors”?
Let’s compare the qualification levels of naturopathic doctors with medical doctors. This is also for anyone who has ever asked the silly question “Are naturopathic doctors real doctors?”
This question, of course, is irrelevant because the real doctor is the best doctor for your needs. But the short answer is “yes”, they are real doctors according to the diploma and state license on their wall. What’s more important is knowing when to use either doctor. If you or a loved one are considering a specialized surgery or new experimental drug, you probably want the medical doctor. If you want to troubleshoot a chronic migraine or need to strengthen your immune system through nutrition and lifestyle changes, then the naturopathic doctor might be better a better fit.
A diversified approach to your health is almost always better. But it’s still important to understand the differences when choosing a practitioner.
Entrance exam
Medical students must pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) before applying to medical school, whereas none of the accredited naturopathic medical schools require an entrance exam.
Medical school
Both medical and naturopathic doctors graduated from an accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical school. The curricula of all medical programs is very similar. There’s a great and lengthy description of the differences in academic coursework here.
Residency
Herein lies perhaps the biggest difference. Most medical doctors go on to receive additional graduate medical education known as medical residency before obtaining a license to practice medicine. Medical doctor residencies range from 3 to 7 additional years of training in a particular specialty such as family practice or general surgery. Medical doctors typically apply for licenses to practice medicine during their residency. Some doctors are allowed to practice without residency.
Licensing
Both naturopathic doctors and medical doctors need to pass medical board exams if they wish to obtain a license to practice medicine. MDs pass an exam called the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). DOs may take the USMLE or an osteopathic exam called the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA). Naturopathic doctors seeking medical licensure must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX).
Currently, only 20 states including the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands have licensing or registration laws for naturopathic doctors. In the remaining 31 states, they are either pushing for regulation in 2017 or plan to remain unregulated.
Practice
You won’t find many naturopathic doctors in hospitals, due mainly to the non-emergency nature of their practice and private payer source. Most naturopathic doctors will open their own private practice.
Below is a clip describing the journey of a naturopathic doctor through medical school and explaining the specialities of her practice.
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