A review of tensions and risks in naturopathic education and training in Australia: A need for regulation

Wardle, Jon, Steel, Amie and Adams, Jon (2012) A review of tensions and risks in naturopathic education and training in Australia: A need for regulation. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18 4: 363-370.


Author Wardle, Jon
Steel, Amie
Adams, Jon
Title A review of tensions and risks in naturopathic education and training in Australia: A need for regulation
Journal name Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2012-04
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1089/acm.2011.0480
Volume number 18
Issue number 4
ISSN 1075-5535
1557-7708
Start page 363
End page 370
Total pages 8
Place of publication New Rochelle, NY, United States
Publisher Mary Ann Liebert
Collection year 2013
Language eng
Formatted abstract Objectives: In line with increasing complementary medicine (CAM) use, the Australian government has committed considerable resources to the training of CAM practitioners. However, it has generally failed to complement this support with regulation or accountability measures. This is particularly true in Australia's largest CAM profession (naturopaths), which remains entirely unregulated but attracts approximately AUD$40 million each year in government funding for its education sector. This article explores the consequences of such unfettered support on professional outcomes.

Design: Data on Australian government funding for naturopathic student places were collated and compared with various outcome measures including research and professional outcomes.

Results: Lack of accountability measures attached to government support has enabled the proliferation of commercial education providers in the sector. This is often at the expense of the university sector, which is financially disadvantaged in naturopathic education delivery through extra academic and research obligations not shared by private for-profit providers. The major beneficiaries of government funding have facilitated few formal contributions to naturopathic research or professional development, whereas those with the highest research, professional, and academic output attracted the least government funding. Course content has declined in the previous 5 years, and government funding is still directed to courses that do not meet the minimum education levels for the prescribed government definition of naturopath. Unfettered support has also resulted in a significant increase in student numbers growth, which significantly outstrips growth in utilization, potentially affecting the profession's sustainability.

Conclusions: Lack of regulation in naturopathic education has resulted in significant risks to patients (through reduced standards) as well as the naturopathic profession itself. Although CAM advocates often focus on pushing for government support for the development CAM, support without the development of appropriate regulatory and accountability measures can ultimately be detrimental to the development of CAM.
Keyword Alternative medicine
Complementary
Consultations
Prevalence
Women
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: Official 2013 Collection
School of Population Health Publications
 
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