Throughout my time in naturopathic medical school, the process highlighted how many ways there is to learn and grow in medicine. For the lover of knowledge, medicine is a field of study that presents the challenge that you will never stop learning. It's a humbling experience to take on a challenging career in healthcare where your practice is shaped by the fundamentals of modern medicine, out-of-the-box curiosity, and investigative diligence. Naturopathic medicine requires knowledge of all basic medical sciences, physical exam, diagnosis, knowledge of pharmacology, and conventional standard of care. Additionally, we learn more about current, research-based, historical, and cultural forms of alternative medicine. A naturopathic doctor always looks beyond every treatment option to find the avenue that promotes the greatest health and longevity with least risk of side effect. This requires a fundamental understanding of biochemistry and physiology. While many of the mechanisms of action are addressed from a conventional approach in medicine, this is often from the perspective that an organ system functions independently, yet the basics of biochemistry show us that is not true at all. In fact, all organ systems impact each other and anything introduced to the body effects all organ systems whether directly or indirectly.
This coupled with the multiple facets of individual health and history is the philosophical approach of treating the whole person and there isn't an instruction manual in medicine. The ability to see the patient as an individual, make choices on interventions based on therapeutic approach while simultaneously considering availability, access, and patient compliance is the art and heart of naturopathic medicine. This is only limited by the doctor's level of dedication to researching what's best for the individual. The reason for doing this work is to be in service to others, but true healing is an inside job that occurs when the patient presents with their own motivations to get better and do the treatments given.
Additional Resources:
https://www.naturopathic.org/
https://aanmc.org/national-associations/
https://www.calnd.org/