The Phenomena of Naturopathic Practitioner: Predictors of a High Patient Throughput

Abstract

Objective. The aim of the current study was to evaluate which factors predicted a high patient throughput to add more evidence to the phenomena of naturopathic practitioners. Methods. The cross-sectional study was based on a questionnaire with a sample of 1,096 naturopathic practitioners in the German Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein. Besides, sociodemographic data and practice characteristics topics like job satisfaction and feeling for the job were evaluated. This was supplemented with an evaluation of patient traits which were perceived as challenging. Descriptive statistics and binary regression analysis were computed to identify potential predictors to a high patient throughput. Results. A response rate of 29.4% (322/1096 participants) was observed for the study. In general, our sample of the naturopathic practitioners was very satisfied with their job (mean = 6.38). Naturopathic practitioners described that 40% of their patients are challenging. The highest rate was for “aggressive patients.” A high patient throughput was predicted with a higher satisfaction rate with the “opportunity to use abilities” and more direct contact with the patient. Conclusions. Therapeutic freedom and time with patients are important factors which are accountable for a high patient throughput. Moreover, our study provides evidence for the understanding of the phenomena of naturopathic practitioners.

A cross-sectional workforce survey of three traditional and complementary medicine professions in Ontario, Canada

“…Ontario’s naturopaths in our study are similar in age to those in prior Canadian [ 18 ], American [ 20 ], and Australian [ 15 , 19 ] studies but about three years younger on average than European naturopaths [ 14 , 16 ]. The province’s TCM/acupuncture practitioners and homeopaths report being similar in age and years of clinical experience to their counterparts in other industrialized countries but, as in other studies, considerably older and with more years of clinical experience than naturopaths.…”

“…Ontario's naturopathy, homeopathy and TCM/acupuncture professions are all predominantly comprised of female-identified practitioners, broadly consistent with prior reports of these T&CM occupational groups in other industrialized countries (Table 1). The degree of feminization evident in Ontario's naturopathy profession is, however, slightly lower than that in Germany (16), Switzerland (14) and Australia (17), with an apparent global trend towards increased occupational feminization over the last fifteen years. The moderate occupational feminization of TCM/acupuncture practitioners in our study is similar to that reported in Australian (21) and Swiss ( 14) studies but lower than reported within the American acupuncturist profession [22][23][24]26].…”

Traditional Health Practitioners in Indonesia: Their Profile, Practice and Treatment Characteristics

“…In a previous study with complementary medicine practitioners in Germany, a lower average contact time per patient was also associated with a high patient throughput (more than 15 per week) [19]. Although, overall, there was a preponderance of female traditional health practitioners, male practitioners were predominant in high patient throughput, seemingly being more professional, routinely charging consultation fees, spending less consultation time, and operating more often at a special place for practice (analysis not shown) and more often in urban areas.…”

“…Larger surveys among complementary practitioners in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK and the USA found sociodemographic characteristics (most practitioners were female [14,15,16,17], middle-aged, > 40 years old [14,15,17], held a vocational or higher education degree [16,17]) and practice characteristics (most practitioners had 10 or more years of practice [18], most worked full-time [17], part-time [14], had 7-24 clients per week [14,18,19], the initial consultation and treatment lasted for 30-120 min [16], and high referral between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and orthodox practitioners [16]). Most complementary practitioners used several treatment modalities [16,18].…”

“…Commonly, the practitioners used treatment methods including para-medicinal procedures [15]. In the same study in Germany, a lower average contact time per patient and ‘higher satisfaction with the opportunity to use abilities' was associated with a high patient throughput [19]. …”