Naturopaths and the creep of pseudo-science

[pnwmom]

50. Your concern is duly noted. And several decades out-dated.

Bastyr University was founded in 1978 specifically to bring evidence-based research to the field of naturopathic medicine. Its doctors conduct research along with doctors at institutions such as the University of Washington and the nationally-acclaimed Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

This is not to say that each and every practitioner across the country is at this same level. But neither is every M.D. at the level of doctors at U.W. And not every practice of every naturopath is scientifically justified. . .or every technique of modern medicine, many of which have turned out to be unfounded when subject to scientific scrutiny.

http://www.bastyr.edu/about/about-our-university/history-heritage#Founding-of-Bastyr

Bastyr University has played a bigger role within medicine than any other non-allopathic institution, bringing scientific legitimacy to natural medicine.
- James Wharton, PhD, professor of medical history and ethics, University of Washington School of Medicine

Bastyr University was founded in 1978 during a difficult political climate for natural medicine. National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) had closed its Seattle branch, and Washington state legislators were threatening to eliminate naturopathic licensing since no new graduates were applying for licensure.
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This challenge was met by three NCNM graduates, Drs. Les Griffith, William A. Mitchell, Jr. and Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr. These naturopathic physicians saw an opportunity to create a new naturopathic school in Seattle that would not only protect licensure in Washington, but also create a resurgence for the naturopathic field by building the school on a science-based foundation.

SNIP

Dr. Pizzorno summarized Bastyr's achievements: "We have demonstrated that science-based natural medicine is achievable and successful in helping people. By doing it right, Bastyr has been a catalyst for the resurgence of public interest in natural medicine. So many of our graduates are actively treating people, writing good books and lecturing. We have made the world realize that natural medicine offers great value."

http://www.bastyr.edu/news/general-news-home-page/2013/12/integrative-oncology-study-draws-attention-promising-results

"Our patients are doing better than national averages," says Dr. Standish, a professor at Bastyr University and the University of Washington. "We don't know why. Maybe they would have done better, or maybe there's something about our treatment."

Since opening in 2009, BIORC has enrolled 521 patients in a prospective outcomes study, treating breast, lung, colon, pancreatic, brain and skin cancers. For eight patients with stage 4 colon cancer, BIORC reported an 80 percent survival rate after three years, compared with 15 percent from a group at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Of 12 BIORC patients with stage 4 lung cancer, 64 percent were alive after three years, compared with 15 percent from Seattle Cancer Care and 3 percent from a national data group. Limitations in most data sets make exact comparisons difficult, Dr. Standish says. But the findings allow doctors to make immediate changes to improve patient care.
"These people have active tumor cells that are dividing rapidly," she says. "We're trying to figure out how to halt that disease progression without hurting the patient."

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Here is an example of a faculty member. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle’s pre-eminent trauma center. Many other faculty members have joint appointments or have conducted research alongside M.D.'s at other highly regarded institutions.

http://www.bastyr.edu/people/faculty-researcher/jane-guiltinan-nd