Hi
James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [email protected] Department of Psychology University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 CANADA >>> Michael Smith <[email protected]> 13-Apr-09 4:57 PM >>> Besides, some naturopaths are trained MD's, and if the training fits, why shouldn't you be allowed to wear the shoes? JC: An MD who was also a naturopath would already have prescription privileges. Not clear why this would justify a DN without an MD getting prescription privileges? Prescription authority could be as protected as it is, more for political than medical reasons. JC: Presumably some benefit to having trained people write prescriptions, rather than everything being over the counter. I am sure LPNs, RNs, Naturopaths, and Physicians Assistants could probably benefit everyone if they had prescription privileges given the shortage of MDs [ at least in Canada: I think they mostly go to the States 'cause o the money :) ] JC: Depends on whether you see increased consumption of drugs as a good thing for healthcare, as opposed to "good" for drug companies and those writing the prescriptions. I believe there was some statistic reported over the past few years where drug companies now spend more on advertising than R&D, presumably due to the known economic benefits of direct-to-consumer advertising. I like the finding where patients who go to their doctor explicitly asking for Drug X are much more likely than other patients to get that drug prescribed. As to comparisons between Canada and USA healthcare, there is certainly much debate (e.g., speculations about socialized medicine and Natasha Richardson's death). One undisputed finding, of course, is that much more money is spent per capita in USA than in Canada, but without the (virtually) universal coverage found in Canada and without marked disparities between countries in many ultimate outcome measures (life expectancy, mortality). The number of doctors issue is also relevant, of course, to our recent discussions of misleading use of healthcare statistics. Would lots of doctors translate into lots of demand (from doctors) for tests that are unnecessary and perhaps even harmful (iatrogenic medicine)? All of this is incidental to the sorry growth in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, as represented here by Naturopathy. Take care Jim --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
