Primary care is more than a point of entry into the healthcare system. It’s a whole-of-society approach that brings health and wellness closer to people, wherever they are.
The World Health Organization recognizes three main facets of effective primary care:
- Integrated services that meet health needs across the lifespan
- Action on social and environmental determinants of health
- Empowered individuals and communities that actively participate in their care1Primary health care. World Health Organization. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.who.int/health-topics/primary-health-care
The foundational belief that everyone has the right to good health lies at the heart of naturopathic primary care. As primary care providers (PCPs), naturopathic doctors support health systems designed to serve not just individuals, but entire communities. NDs work in numerous clinical settings, from private practices to federally qualified health centers, community health centers, and hospitals. Across these spaces, one principle remains constant: integrative, collaborative care serves patients best.
PCPs focus on health promotion
Naturopathic training is rooted in prevention, dietary and nutrient therapy, counseling, and lifestyle medicine. NDs study pharmaceuticals, herbal medicine, and the human body at every level, from cellular function to systemic health.
Although conventional medical curricula center on disease management, naturopathic providers are taught to inform and empower patients before illness takes hold.
ND PCPs aim to:
- Prevent illness through screenings and proactive health management strategies
- Diagnose and treat disease
- Promote individual and community wellness
- Provide patient-centered education and advocacy
- Consult, co-manage, and refer to integrative specialists to optimize care outcomes
Insurance policies and coverage
Insurance coverage for naturopathic care varies widely depending on the state, provider, and individual insurance plan. In some states or provinces, services provided by licensed NDs are covered by private insurance or public health plans, while in others, patients may have to pay out of pocket. As demand for integrative and preventive care grows, some insurers are expanding their coverage.
NDs and health equity
Factors like income, education, housing, and access to nutritious food account for up to 55 percent of health outcomes.2Social determinants of health. World Health Organization. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health These are powerful influences, and naturopathic doctors are trained to consider them. NDs take an active role in the broader community, partnering with shelters, collaborating with social workers, and building local networks to support patients beyond the clinic setting.
Understanding patients’ backgrounds, sources of stress, and home environments is essential to the provision of whole-person care. Treatment plans are most effective when they align with individual circumstances and the ability to follow through. Many patients have limited access to healthy food and safe spaces for exercise, as well as time and financial constraints.
Leading the way: the INM Primary Care Task Force
The United States faces a critical shortage of primary care physicians—up to 48,000 by 2034, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.3Aging patients and doctors drive nation’s physician shortage. Association of American Medical Colleges. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/aging-patients-and-doctors-drive-nation-s-physician-shortage NDs have the potential to help close this gap.
Since 2018, INM’s Primary Care Task Force (PCTF) has worked with universities, associations, and health organizations to promote NDs as a sustainable solution to workforce deficits. The PCTF has expanded ND roles in Oregon and Washington at underserved and rural clinics.
The future of whole-person primary care
As primary care shifts toward a more collaborative, integrative structure, naturopathic doctors offer a complementary approach. Combining biomedical science with natural therapeutics, they prioritize practical, low-harm solutions, always with the patient’s needs and preferences in mind.
Footnotes
- 1Primary health care. World Health Organization. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.who.int/health-topics/primary-health-care
- 2Social determinants of health. World Health Organization. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health
- 3Aging patients and doctors drive nation’s physician shortage. Association of American Medical Colleges. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/aging-patients-and-doctors-drive-nation-s-physician-shortage
