DDD Consultation Follow-up

Posted On: April 11, 2022

The Scheduled Substances Review Committee (SSRC) has been tasked by the Council of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario to undertake a project to further define and elaborate on the scope of practice of the profession in Ontario. Under the current framework, the scope is ill-defined in the legislation, leading to confusion among the public and health professions alike.

The SSRC determined that one means of elaborating on the scope of practice would be to create a list of diseases, disorders and dysfunctions that are currently treated, in whole or in part, by the profession. In addition to assisting in defining the scope for the public, this approach also had the benefit of allowing the Committee to identify and address gaps in the current regulations governing access to drugs, substances and laboratory testing, so as to make informed recommendations to the Council regarding future regulatory amendments, including but not limited to, access to drugs, substances and lab tests.

It is worth noting that the Committee chose this approach because the terms “diseases, disorders and dysfunctions” figures predominantly in the current definition of the scope of practice. The Naturopathy Act, 2007 notes that the scope of practice of the practice of naturopathy is “the assessment of diseases, disorders and dysfunctions and the naturopathic diagnosis and treatment of diseases, disorders and dysfunctions using naturopathic techniques to promote, maintain or restore health” (section 3). Regardless of whether a list of diseases, disorders and dysfunctions exists, the scope of practice of the profession is limited based on the legislation. Limitations include whether the profession has access to the tools and education necessary to diagnose and treat certain conditions, and mandatory referral requirements when one or the other is not available.

The SSRC wishes to express its appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed their time in reviewing the public consultation materials and providing the College with their comments and feedback. Over the coming months, the SSRC will be continuing to work on this important project of elaborating on the scope of practice of the profession with an eye towards identifying gaps between the drugs, substances and lab tests available and the treatments the profession is regularly called upon by Ontarians to provide.

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