Background: Naturopaths are an increasingly significant part of the healthcare sector in Australia, yet despite their\r\nsignificant role there has been little research on this practitioner group. Currently the naturopathic profession in\r\nAustralia is undergoing a period of rapid professional growth and change. However, to date most research\r\nexploring the perceptions of naturopaths has been descriptive in nature and has focused on those in leadership\r\npositions rather than grassroots practitioners. This article explores the perceptions and experiences of practising\r\nnaturopaths on the challenges and future directions of their profession.\r\nMethods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 naturopaths practising in the Darling Downs region\r\nof South-east Queensland, Australia to explore current perceived challenges in the naturopathic profession in\r\nAustralia.\r\nResults: Participants perceived a number of internal and external challenges relating to the profession of\r\nnaturopathic medicine. These included a public misconception of the role of naturopathic medicine; the co-option\r\nof naturopathic medicine by untrained or unqualified practitioners; the devaluation of naturopathic philosophy as a\r\ncore component of naturopathic practice; a pressure to move towards an evidence-based medicine model focused\r\non product prescription; the increasing commercial interest infiltrating complementary medicine, and; division and\r\nfragmentation within the naturopathic profession. Naturopaths generally perceived government regulation as a\r\nsolution for many of these challenges, though this may be representative of deeper frustrations and disconnections\r\nbetween the views of grassroots naturopaths and those in professional leadership positions.\r\nConclusions: Grassroots naturopaths identify a number of challenges that may have significant impacts on the\r\nquality, effectiveness and safety of naturopathic care. Given the significant role naturopaths play in healthcare in\r\nAustralia the practice and policy implications of these challenges require further research attention.
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