Amie Steel1, Janet Schloss2, Matthew Leach3, Jon Adams4. 1. Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia, 2006. Electronic address: amie.steel@uts.edu.au. 2. Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia, 2006; Endeavour College of Natural Health, Brisbane, Australia, 4006. Electronic address: janet.schloss@endeavour.edu.au. 3. Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia, 2006; National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia. Electronic address: matthew.leach@scu.edu.au. 4. Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia, 2006. Electronic address: jon.adams@uts.edu.au.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study provides the most detailed empirical examination of the naturopathic profession and naturopathic practice in Australia. METHODS: Naturopaths from the Practitioner Research And Collaboration Initiative (PRACI) were invited to participate in an online workforce survey. RESULTS: The baseline survey was completed by 281 naturopaths and 155 (55.2%) completed the second survey. Respondents were predominantly female (86.7%), with a mean age of 45.5 years (SD 10.4). A diverse range of clinical interest topics were disclosed; most frequent were digestive (84.0%) and women's (79.4%) health. Diet/nutrition (91.1%), sleep (90.2%), stress management (85.3%) and physical activity/fitness (79.4%) were commonly discussed during consultation. CONCLUSION: Although respondents reported a varied scope of practice, there was a notable emphasis on lifestyle prescriptions. Given lifestyle diseases are the leading cause of death in Australia, a more in-depth examination of the preparedness of the naturopathy workforce to integrate into community-based health care teams is now warranted.
INTRODUCTION: This study provides the most detailed empirical examination of the naturopathic profession and naturopathic practice in Australia. METHODS: Naturopaths from the Practitioner Research And Collaboration Initiative (PRACI) were invited to participate in an online workforce survey. RESULTS: The baseline survey was completed by 281 naturopaths and 155 (55.2%) completed the second survey. Respondents were predominantly female (86.7%), with a mean age of 45.5 years (SD 10.4). A diverse range of clinical interest topics were disclosed; most frequent were digestive (84.0%) and women's (79.4%) health. Diet/nutrition (91.1%), sleep (90.2%), stress management (85.3%) and physical activity/fitness (79.4%) were commonly discussed during consultation. CONCLUSION: Although respondents reported a varied scope of practice, there was a notable emphasis on lifestyle prescriptions. Given lifestyle diseases are the leading cause of death in Australia, a more in-depth examination of the preparedness of the naturopathy workforce to integrate into community-based health care teams is now warranted.
Authors: Matthew J Leach; Larisa A J Barnes; Andy McLintock; Helene M Diezel; Kimberley Ryan; Amie E Steel Journal: BMC Complement Med Ther Date: 2021-12-15