Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2016

Publication Title

Alternative & Complementary Therapies

Abstract

The number of patients seeking complementary health approaches combined with conventional treatments has grown considerably over the past decade. The current authors have previously described how an integrative medicine department was initiated and implemented at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan. This article discusses how the integrative medicine department was expanded to include naturopathic medicine. This expansion was implemented because patients were taking herbs and supplements without their doctors' knowledge. This situation can be dangerous, especially for patients with cancer who are receiving chemotherapy, as various herbs and supplements can interact with treatment for these patients. Because the State of Michigan does not offer licensing to naturopathic doctors (NDs), care had to be taken to identify highly trained and qualified NDs and to work within the legal parameters of the state. This article discusses why the integrative medicine department was expanded to include naturopathic medicine, how the naturopathic medicine program was structured, and what the role of NDs was within the department. Finally, as the department had more than 1500 naturopathic medicine appointments in 2014, this article illustrates that a naturopathic medicine program can be incorporated successfully into an integrative medicine department within a conventional healthcare system.

Volume

22

Issue

4

First Page

153

Last Page

158

DOI

10.1089/act.2016.29064.tla

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