World-first health technology assessment on naturopathy
The World Naturopathic Federation (WNF) has published a first-ever health technology assessment of the naturopathic profession, with lead editors including UTS Faculty of Health’s Dr Amie Steel and Adjunct Associate Professor Jon Wardle.
The 750-page book titled Naturopathy, practice, effectiveness, economics & safety provides an evidence-based summary of naturopathic practice and the safety, economics, and effectiveness of naturopathic care.
Lead editors are naturopathic doctors including UTS Faculty of Health’s Dr Amie Steel and Adjunct Associate Professor Jon Wardle. Other contributors include 50 naturopaths / naturopathic doctors, spanning five World Health Organization (WHO) regions.
The scope of the health technology assessment was informed by research conducted by the international naturopathic community over the last thirty years. It encompasses over 2,000 peer-reviewed scientific articles including a review of more than 300 clinical studies involving over 100 different health populations. Seven international surveys of the naturopathic profession were conducted to support the findings.
The health technology assessment was made possible due to the financial assistance of the Naturopaths and Herbalist Association of Australia (opens external site) and the WNF (opens external site), and supported by UTS’s Australian Research Collective in Complementary and Integrative Medicine.
“The health technology assessment addresses key questions raised by policy makers, accreditors, regulators and those seeking to further understand the breadth and depth of naturopathic care,” says Dr Iva Lloyd, WNF President.
“It addresses the research, risks and economics associated with naturopathic practice, as well as the current regulatory and educational status of the profession globally”.
UTS Faculty of Health's Dr Amie Steel says, “The health technology assessment is a resource to inform an evidence-based vision for the future practice and integration of naturopathy in health systems around the world.”
The full health technology assessment is available as an e-book: Health Technology Assessment – Naturopathy (opens external site) and has also been printed as a 750 page hardcover book.
