Research Evidence Citations for the Clinical Effectiveness for Naturopathy (tranche 1)
Introduction
The Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA) is pleased to make a submission for the Natural Therapies Review 2019-20 – invitation to submit published scientific research evidence citations on clinical effectiveness of natural therapies in tranche 1 (naturopathy).
The removal of Private Health Insurance rebates has been a serious blow to the public as well as the profession of naturopathy based on a discriminatory and flawed process in the Natural Therapies Review 2015. Denying the public access to the health care support of their choice has had serious ramifications not only for the public but also the private health insurers with droves of their members cancelling their memberships. For all the years private health insurance rebates were available for ANPA members’ naturopathic services, ANPA worked closely with the Private Health Insurance sector, supplying member information regularly and meeting all criteria when audited.
The 2020 ANPA submission of published evidence adds to the previous evidence submitted by ANPA for the Natural Therapies Review 2015. The ANPA recognises that there were numerous flaws in that previous review arriving at a conclusion of ‘insufficient’ evidence for naturopathy. The ANPA challenged that outcome while participating on the advisory panel for the first Natural Therapies Review in 2015. To date it is not clear what ‘sufficient’ evidence for Naturopathy was previously, and what it will be in this current review process. Tools of trade for naturopathy are to be included in the 2020 review. Evidence for these tools of trade was included in the ANPA 2015 submission. The ANPA requests that the Health Minister provides the draft methodology for Naturopathy to stakeholders before the review is contracted to external reviewers and a final review is concluded. This supports a fully transparent process.
About the Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA)
The ANPA is a national professional association uniquely only representing Naturopaths since 1975 to State, Federal and International agencies. The ANPA supports formal registration for the naturopathic profession. Naturopaths having the ‘potential’ to cause harm has been established by Lin et al (2009). Registration and inclusion into the National Scheme (NRAS) to date has not been enacted by State health ministers despite being on the COAG agenda a number of years ago. The ANPA has been advocating for more than 15 years for the highest form of registration to ensure a minimum education standard as well as a formal external complaints mechanism. The ANPA offers continued professional education for members. ANPA members are required to adhere to a strict code of conduct as well as code of ethics. ANPA members are required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Naturopathy with many members having higher levels of education. The ANPA regularly contributes to media coverage on issues related to the naturopathic profession. We place significant focus on all sectors of our membership, especially students and the professionalisation of new graduate naturopaths. The ANPA is eligible to join the World Naturopathic Federation. We are presently reviewing this possibility.
Naturopathy is a professional practice that goes back more than one hundred years. It is based on a unique philosophy and principles that continue to be effective today for both acute and chronic conditions. Naturopathic philosophy and approaches are different from mainstream medical approaches. Treating both symptoms, as well as underlying causes is why naturopaths often have positive outcomes for health complaints where gaps in mainstream approaches seem to have no answers. Naturopaths are primary care providers. The public often seeking naturopathic care first want a more natural approach for their health condition. Naturopathy is suited to all ages from pre-conception to end of life support. Naturopathy is lifestyle medicine. There is significant focus on empowering the patient to take responsibility for proactive daily health and wellness self-care. Australia is a signatory to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO approve the use of Traditional and Complementary medicine across the globe. Naturopathy is included in the WHO list of Traditional health professions.
The ANPA looks forward to the recognition that there is significant evidence for the profession of naturopathy and that this recognition of sufficient evidence herald the re-instatement of private health insurance rebates for naturopathy as well as the expedited registration for the profession of naturopaths in Australia.
