Introduction
In my eyes, and in many people's eyes, selecting a health care practitioner is an important decision and can be key to ensuring that you are receiving the best health care. So to help you, you will find below answers to frequently asked questions about selecting a Naturopath, such as issues to consider when making your decision and important questions to ask the practitioner you select.
Key Points.
• Make a list of Naturopaths and gather information about each before making your first visit. Ask basic questions about their credentials and practice. Where did they receive their training? What Qualifications do they have? How much will the treatment cost?
• Check with your insurer to see if the cost of therapy will be covered.
• After you select a practitioner, make a list of questions to ask at your first visit. You may want to bring a friend or family member who can help you ask questions and note answers.
• Come to the first visit prepared to answer questions about your health history, including injuries, surgeries, and major illnesses, as well as prescription medicines, vitamins, and other supplements you may be taking.
• Assess your first visit and decide if the practitioner is right for you. Did you feel comfortable with the practitioner? Could the practitioner answer your questions? Did she/he respond to you in a way that satisfied you? Does the treatment plan seem reasonable and acceptable to you?
• Make a list of Naturopaths and gather information about each before making your first visit. Ask basic questions about their credentials and practice. Where did they receive their training? What Qualifications do they have? How much will the treatment cost?
• Check with your insurer to see if the cost of therapy will be covered.
• After you select a practitioner, make a list of questions to ask at your first visit. You may want to bring a friend or family member who can help you ask questions and note answers.
• Come to the first visit prepared to answer questions about your health history, including injuries, surgeries, and major illnesses, as well as prescription medicines, vitamins, and other supplements you may be taking.
• Assess your first visit and decide if the practitioner is right for you. Did you feel comfortable with the practitioner? Could the practitioner answer your questions? Did she/he respond to you in a way that satisfied you? Does the treatment plan seem reasonable and acceptable to you?
How do I choose a practitioner?
• Ask someone you believe to be knowledgeable about Naturopathy if they can recommend a practitioner for the type of therapy you are seeking.
• Ask if your therapy will be covered by insurance.
• Ask someone you believe to be knowledgeable about Naturopathy if they can recommend a practitioner for the type of therapy you are seeking.
• Ask if your therapy will be covered by insurance.
• Contact a professional organization for the type of practitioner you are seeking. (for example ANTA: Australian Natural Therapists Association). Often, professional organizations have standards of practice, provide referrals to practitioners, have publications explaining the therapy (or therapies) that their members provide, and may offer information on the type of training needed.I have located the names of several practitioners. How do I select one?
Begin by contacting the practitioners on your list and gathering information.
• Ask what training or other qualifications the practitioner has. Ask about his/her education, additional training. If you contacted a professional organization, see if the practitioner's qualifications meet the standards for training for that profession.
• Ask if there are diseases/health conditions in which the practitioner specializes and how frequently s/he treats patients with problems similar to yours.
• Ask if the practitioner believes the therapy can effectively address your complaint and if there is any scientific research supporting the treatment's use for your condition.
• Ask whether there is a brochure or Web site to tell you more about the practice.
• Ask about charges and payment options. How much do treatments cost? If you have insurance, does the practitioner accept your insurance? Even with insurance, you may be responsible for a percentage of the cost.
• Ask about the hours appointments are offered. How long is the wait for an appointment? Consider whether this will be convenient for your schedule.
• Ask about office location. If you are concerned, ask about public transportation and parking. If you need wheelchair access, ask if this is available.
Begin by contacting the practitioners on your list and gathering information.
• Ask what training or other qualifications the practitioner has. Ask about his/her education, additional training. If you contacted a professional organization, see if the practitioner's qualifications meet the standards for training for that profession.
• Ask if there are diseases/health conditions in which the practitioner specializes and how frequently s/he treats patients with problems similar to yours.
• Ask if the practitioner believes the therapy can effectively address your complaint and if there is any scientific research supporting the treatment's use for your condition.
• Ask whether there is a brochure or Web site to tell you more about the practice.
• Ask about charges and payment options. How much do treatments cost? If you have insurance, does the practitioner accept your insurance? Even with insurance, you may be responsible for a percentage of the cost.
• Ask about the hours appointments are offered. How long is the wait for an appointment? Consider whether this will be convenient for your schedule.
• Ask about office location. If you are concerned, ask about public transportation and parking. If you need wheelchair access, ask if this is available.
• Ask what will be involved in the first visit or assessment.
• Observe how comfortable you feel during these first interactions.
Once you have gathered the information, assess the answers and determine which practitioner was best able to respond to your questions and best suits your needs.
• Observe how comfortable you feel during these first interactions.
Once you have gathered the information, assess the answers and determine which practitioner was best able to respond to your questions and best suits your needs.
I have selected a practitioner. What questions should I ask at my first visit?
The first visit is very important. Come prepared to answer questions about your health history, such as surgeries, injuries, and major illnesses, as well as prescriptions, vitamins, and other supplements you take, your diet and lifestyle. Not only will the practitioner wish to gather information from you, but you will want to ask questions, too. Write down ahead of time the questions you want to ask, or take a family member or friend with you to help you remember the questions and answers. Here are some questions you may want to ask:
• What benefits can I expect from this therapy?
• What are the risks associated with this therapy?
• Do the benefits outweigh the risks for my disease or condition?
• What side effects can be expected?
• Will the therapy interfere with any of my daily activities?
• How long will I need to undergo treatment? How often will my progress or plan of treatment be assessed?
• Will I need to buy any equipment or supplies?
• Could the therapy interact with conventional treatments?
• Are there any conditions for which this treatment should not be used?
How do I know if the practitioner I have selected is right for me?
After your first visit with a practitioner, evaluate the visit. Ask yourself:
• Was the practitioner easy to talk to? Did the practitioner make me feel comfortable?
• Was I comfortable asking questions? Did the practitioner appear willing to answer them, and were they answered to my satisfaction?
• Was the practitioner open to how both Naturopathy and Conventional Medicine might work together for my benefit?
• Did the practitioner get to know me and ask me about my condition?
• Did the practitioner seem knowledgeable about my specific health condition?
• Does the treatment recommended seem reasonable and acceptable to me?
• Was the practitioner clear about the time and costs associated with treatment?
The first visit is very important. Come prepared to answer questions about your health history, such as surgeries, injuries, and major illnesses, as well as prescriptions, vitamins, and other supplements you take, your diet and lifestyle. Not only will the practitioner wish to gather information from you, but you will want to ask questions, too. Write down ahead of time the questions you want to ask, or take a family member or friend with you to help you remember the questions and answers. Here are some questions you may want to ask:
• What benefits can I expect from this therapy?
• What are the risks associated with this therapy?
• Do the benefits outweigh the risks for my disease or condition?
• What side effects can be expected?
• Will the therapy interfere with any of my daily activities?
• How long will I need to undergo treatment? How often will my progress or plan of treatment be assessed?
• Will I need to buy any equipment or supplies?
• Could the therapy interact with conventional treatments?
• Are there any conditions for which this treatment should not be used?
After your first visit with a practitioner, evaluate the visit. Ask yourself:
• Was the practitioner easy to talk to? Did the practitioner make me feel comfortable?
• Was I comfortable asking questions? Did the practitioner appear willing to answer them, and were they answered to my satisfaction?
• Was the practitioner open to how both Naturopathy and Conventional Medicine might work together for my benefit?
• Did the practitioner get to know me and ask me about my condition?
• Did the practitioner seem knowledgeable about my specific health condition?
• Does the treatment recommended seem reasonable and acceptable to me?
• Was the practitioner clear about the time and costs associated with treatment?
Can I change my mind about the treatment or the practitioner?
Yes, if you are not satisfied or comfortable, you can look for a different practitioner or stop treatment. However, as with any conventional treatment, talk with your practitioner before stopping to make sure that it is safe to simply stop treatment - it may not be advisable to stop some therapies midway through a course of treatment.
Discuss with your practitioner the reasons you are not satisfied or comfortable with treatment. If you decide to stop a therapy or seek another practitioner, make sure that you share this information with any other health care practitioners you may have as this will help them make decisions about your care. Communicating with your practitioner(s) can be key to ensuring the best possible health care.
Will insurance cover the cost of a Naturopath?
Many Insurers are available in Australia. The amount of coverage offered varies depending upon the insurer. Before agreeing to a treatment that a Naturopath suggests, you should check with your insurer to see if they will cover any portion of the therapy's cost. Even with insurance, you are likely to be responsible for a percentage of the cost of therapy.
Thomas, Pat, 2002. What Works What Doesn’t: the guide to alternative healthcare
Ballantine, 1999. The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies
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