Health care is the Ontario government’s single biggest spending program. In 2010-2011, the province spent $44.77 billion on health, 40.3 per cent of its total spending on programs. With an aging population, this number is bound to increase unless we start to make some significant changes in how we deliver health care in Ontario. We need to start switching our focus to prevention. If we can prevent chronic diseases before they occur, we can take a significant burden off the health-care system. The question is how do we modify our current system to try and incorporate more prevention. The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and the Brampton Civic Hospital have partnered to try to make this happen.
The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) has established a teaching clinic at the Brampton Civic Hospital. This is the first naturopathic teaching hospital established in a hospital setting. The opening reflects the public’s growing interest in integrative and preventative health care.
The Central West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) reports higher rates of obesity than the provincial average, with almost one in five youths in the LHIN reported as overweight or obese. The percentage of type 2 diabetes in this LHIN is also higher than the provincial average.
Heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity are heavily influenced by lifestyle choices. Naturopathic medicine can help respond to these health concerns. With a naturopathic doctor’s strength in nutrition, lifestyle and supplement recommendations, there is great potential for success in reducing the burden of chronic disease.
Bob Bernhardt, PhD, CCNM President and CEO, has made a commitment to research at this facility. Based upon past research studies, he is confident that he will be able to show a significant improvement in health outcomes and sustainable cost savings.
The naturopathic services provided at Brampton Civic Hospital are being provided at no cost to the patient. This project is being underwritten by the College and its partners as community outreach. This project will not only be a great learning opportunity for the naturopathic students, but also an invaluable learning opportunity for the province. Being able to interact directly with other health-care providers at the hospital has allowed for better understanding and has demystified many of the misconceptions that may exist with complementary care.
The clinic has been open since January, 2013 and has received very positive feedback. Clinic students have seen conditions from fatigue and anxiety to type 2 diabetes and arthritis. It will be interesting to see where this clinic will go and whether it can provide a model to not only decrease costs, but also to optimize patient care.
About the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) is Canada’s premier institute for education and research in naturopathic medicine. CCNM offers a rigorous four-year, full-time doctor of naturopathic medicine program. The College educates, develops and trains naturopathic doctors through excellence in health education, clinical services and research that integrate mind, body and spirit.
In Ontario, naturopathic doctors (NDs) are regulated health-care practitioners. Currently, the profession is transitioning to new regulation within the Regulated Health Professions Act. Visits to naturopathic doctors are typically half an hour or more in length, and involve standard medical diagnostic assessments as well as a range of therapies including lifestyle counselling, nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture/Asian medicine, homeopathic medicine, and hydrotherapy/massage.
For further info, contact: Catherine Kenwell, Director, Marketing and Communications, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine ckenwell@ccnm.edu, 416-498-1255 ext: 243
