What's a primary care provider

[Guest guest]

This is what the California Department of Consumer Affairs says about naturopaths:Naturopathic medicine is a distinct, comprehensive system of primary

health care practiced by a naturopathic doctor for the diagnosis,

treatment and prevention of human health conditions, injuries, and

disease. (http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/press_releases/2005/0203.shtml)There are two levels of definitions for what a primary care provider is in my mind. The most basic level is a health care practitioner who provides the first level of care for a patient, and who assumes responsibility for ongoing care. There are lots of practitioners who fit this definition - chiropractors, acupuncturists, midwives, naturopaths, NPs, PAs, and physicians are some of them. This is a pretty basic definition. It would require that any practitioner be able and willing to refer for problems that are outside of their scope.Then there is the more comprehensive definition that you are thinking of. I found this while looking around for a definition, that I think says it pretty well:A set of attributes, as in the 1978 IOM definition—care that

is accessible, comprehensive, coordinated, continuous, and

accountable—or as defined by Starfield (1992)—care that is

characterized by first contact, accessibility, longitudinality, and

comprehensiveness. Comprehensive is the key word here, I think. In my mind, it requires that the practitioner be able to treat most problems that come along, something that really can only be done by a physician, or possibly a "physician extender" (see previous emails about NPs, etc).The naturopaths that have sprouted up near me since 2005, when they started being licensed, are pretty good. They have not done things that are too wacky (like trying to increase their patient's oxygen with H202), and they have referred for problems that were not responding or were outside their scope. Admittedly, there are only a handful of them around, since they have only been licensed for a few years. And of course, I only see a few patients that have seen them. There may be atrocities that I have not caught wind of yet. I certainly don't think that more naturopaths being licensed across the nation is what is going to

save health care. But, for the patients who prefer a more "natural" (less medicated) route, at least naturopaths offer an entree into some sort of health care, and hopefully could encourage appropriate use of the regular medical system when needed.Lonna

From:

Sangeetha Murthy <sangeethamurthy@ onebox.com>

Subject: [Practiceimprovemen t1] Re: Hurry. Doctors of America

To: Practiceimprovement 1yahoogroups (DOT) com

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2009, 8:12 AM

I also found this voice...

"In the current system, what frustrates me the most is Naturopathic

Physicians are not licensed and recognized as PCP physicians in all 50

states. They will be an integral of health care reform.

I want health reform that Puts the doctor-patient relationship first

without input from pharaceutical companies and insurance companies.

Naturopathic physicians can make a huge difference in the system by

teaching people how to make lifestyle changes to optimize their health"

Thats all we need! naturopaths as pcps.

I had a patient tell me he has been treated with perullaruia, h2o2 and

stopped all other medications to keep his 02 up under advice of

naturopath, and now is in chf from uncontrollled dm2 and cardiomyopathy.

One of my patients is on azithromycin and doxycycline for the last 6

months under care

of a naturopath after a rheumatologist, Infectious disease physician

concluded that she had completed recommended treatment for probable and

inconclusive testing for Lyme

anecdotes yes, but scary...

Sangeetha

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> Kathleen, I don't understand what this sight does – could you

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> Eads, MD

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> Pinnacle Family Medicine

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> Colorado Springs, Colorado

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> www.PinnacleFamilyM edicine.com

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> From: Practiceimprovement

1yahoogroups (DOT) com [ <mailto:Practiceimp >

> mailto:Practiceimprovement

1yahoogroups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of k.doc90

> Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 4:36 PM

> To: Practiceimprovement

1yahoogroups (DOT) com

> Subject: [Practiceimprovemen t1] Hurry. Doctors of America

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> All,

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> Hurry. there is an opportunity for us to voice our concerns before

congress

> passes the Healthcare Reform bill.

> Doctors For America is collecting opinions. If we don't speak up,

who will?

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> <http://www.voicesof

physicians. org/> http://www.voicesof

physicians. org/

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> Kathleen

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