The World Health Organization Definition

There are 2 major philosophies and science of Naturopathy that are being taught in the world:

1. The Medical Allopathic Naturopathy approach, which forms Medical Naturopathic Physicians.  Naturopathic doctors must follow 4 years of study, about 5000 hours, full-time and the content of the program is mainly medicine and even micro-surgery.

2. The Holistic Natural Health approach, which forms Naturopaths or Natural Health Practitioners.
This is 1395 hour program. Type I training programs are designed to produce naturopathic practitioners who are qualified to practise as primary-contact and primary-care practitioners, independently or as members of a health-care team. This type of program consists of a minimum of two years of full-time study (or its equivalent) of no fewer than 1500 hours, including no less than 400 hours of supervised clinical training.

Graduates of the Type I program have to be able to:

• provide a basic description of the principles and practice of the various disciplines of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine; 

• assess the health of their clients of all ages with skill and accuracy and to communicate this information effectively to their clients;

• prescribe appropriate treatments involving naturopathic modalities used in accordance with naturopathic principles;

• recommend traditional medicines for the purpose of treating and preventing diseases and promoting health;

• prepare traditional medicines in accordance with pharmacopoeia requirements and good compounding and dispensing practices;

• monitor, evaluate and adapt, when necessary, the naturopathic care of each client;

• educate both clients and the public concerning the promotion of health and the prevention of diseases;

• refer clients to other health-care professionals when necessary and appropriate;

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