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Evidence-based practice for naturopathic doctors

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an approach to clinical practice that includes using the best evidence to make decisions (1). EBP is a patient-centered approach. It can facilitate consistency across professional boundaries. An over-emphasis on research trials as the ultimate standard is a limitation in clinical practice. Complementary and alternative medicine therapies often do not do well in these studies due to the lack of research and changes in the ways studies are done. Naturopathy is unique because it uses both traditional and scientific evidence. There is no conflict with it and EBP. However, the authors of the paper argue that Naturopathic Doctors need to reconcile tensions between those two fields to benefit the patient and must maintain their emphasis on clinical practice as well as patient preferences.