I would like to congratulate CMAJ on publishing articles pertaining to complementary and alternative medicine.1,2 This is a step in the right direction. I am a naturopathic doctor, and my husband is a family physician and an emergency physician. We have seen first-hand how great things can happen for patients when medical professionals from all aspects of health care work together.
The level of discontent with our current health care model is growing among patients and health care workers. It is time for great minds from all areas of medicine to work together toward a common goal of better serving the needs of patients. Naturopathic doctors are in a unique position to support the conventional model of health care, and we have the time and training required to address lifestyle and preventative strategies with patients. The articles in CMAJ1,2 stress the importance of research to validate many of the therapies used by naturopaths — and I agree that this is very important. But let us not forget that many conventional medical practices are not supported by scientific research either and yet they are accepted as valid therapies and rarely questioned.
We need to join forces, open the lines of communication, share our expertise and show patients a unified front so they can feel supported in their health care goals. As Scottish legend Thomas Dewar once said, “Minds are like parachutes; they only function when they are open.”