in this multi-part Naturocrit Podcast Episode 015, aka s02e05, retitled from “The JACM 2019 Special Issue on Naturopathy” to “A Qualitative Content Analysis of Curated World Naturopathic Federation Publications and Reports Employing the Online Misinformation Engagement Framework Within a Paradigm of Methodological Naturalism,” I'll be sharing a study I've recently written in a semi-scholarly manner.
---
In this third part of Episode 015 Part C, I'll cover the study/project step 16 which is the results or findings in terms of themes, codes, and the supporting language from the WNFM.
001. Standard Introduction:
Welcome to, as that robot voice says, The Naturocrit Podcast, and thank you for boldly listening.
What ARE we even talking about?
Well, this podcast series is my take on naturopathic medicine, an area I've been studying for about thirty-three years, including my time in so-called 'scientific nonsectarian naturopathic medical school'.
My approach is a pairing of scientific skepticism and a deep knowledge of naturopathy's intimate details.
In previous episodes of this series, I established that naturopathy is, essentially, a kind of knowledge blending, misrepresentation, and irrationality.
I have termed naturopathy both 'an epistemic conflation falsely posing itself as an epistemic delineation' and 'the naturopathillogical':
the science-exterior is mixed with what is scientific, then that whole muddle is absurdly claimed to be science as an entire category, while particular sectarian science-ejected oath-obligations and -requirements are coded or camouflaged, therein effectively disguising naturopathy's system of beliefs in public view.
Naturopathy's ultimate achievement is a profound erosion of scientific integrity and freedom of belief packaged in the marketing veneers "natural, holistic, integrative and alternative" and improperly embedded in the academic category "science".
002. Main text [Post 01 of 03; start until F-H.]:
[Synopsis]
Results/Main Findings Step 16
In this Episode 015 Part C3, I’ll be communicating the main findings of the study/project titled:
“A Qualitative Content Analysis of Curated World Naturopathic Federation Publications and Reports Employing the Online Misinformation Engagement Framework Within a Paradigm of Methodological Naturalism.”
The audio file that follows this one, which will be Episode 015 Part C4, will be a review of the study’s Appendix C -- the triangulation, literature review, and preponderance -- concerning the areas that these results here right now that I’m relating contain.
That triangulation will be broken down into four areas: naturopathy definitions, on science and technology, a scientific evaluation of naturopathy, and institutionalization.
Those four areas will be informed from the three countries the study draws from: the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
Episode 015 Part C5
will cover ‘step 17 links to empirical data’, and will begin with a summary of
this Part C3’s results and a summary of the comparison with the triangulation.
The following are the main thematic findings from the coding instrument that arose.
They are in the order of the coding instrument’s alphabetical arrangement, as opposed to any particular priority.
The coded items, quoted for each lettered theme in the main findings in detail, are listed in reverse chronological order, so from the newest publication date to the oldest.
As I recite each area, the PDF [which is this post, and its duplicate up at archive.org as a PDF] that accompanies this entire episode Part C will also indicate the document that each coded item arises from and my best attempt at authorship attribution.
The collection of documents that are the WNFM – the World Naturopathic Federation Material – are at the web address worldnaturopathicfederation.org/wnf-publications-reports [captured and curated at archive.org] and was accessed 2023-12-14.
[As of 2025-05, there are no significant alterations to the document collection. They did do a celebratory 10th anniversary timeline with a lot of pictures of persons within the study].
The WNFM is itemized in Appendix A.
End sidebar.
Main Findings Overview [basically themes, codes]
A. through C. – FOUNDATIONALS theme:
a. The WNF's Claim of Naturopathy Having Globally Consistent Essential Characteristics /
A Homogeneous Core / A Preponderant Foundation
b. The WNF’s Claim of Naturopathy Being Distinct
c. The WNF’s Claim of Naturopathy Being a Blend
D. and E. – KNOWLEDGE theme:
d. The WNF’s Claim of Patient and Community Educating
e. The WNF’s Claim of Science, Evidence,
Technology and Research Basis
F. – PHILOSOPHY theme:
f. The WNF’s Claim of Philosophy Basis
G. – PRINCIPLES theme:
g. The WNF’s Claim of Principles Basis
H. – THEORY theme:
h. The WNF’s Claim of Theory Basis
I. and J. - TREATMENT, THERAPY, and DIAGNOSTICS theme:
i. The WNF’s Claim of Diverse and Efficacious Diagnostics and Therapeutics
j. The WNF’s Claim of Informed Decisions, Individualization, Patient Centeredness, and Empowerment
K. – INSTITUTIONS theme:
k. The WNF’s Claim of Institutionalization via schools and
accreditation / academics, publishing, and regulation / law
Main Coding Findings in Detail
These are the example statements for each theme and their code.
A. through C. – FOUNDATIONALS theme:
A. The WNF’s Claim of Naturopathy Having Globally Consistent Essential Characteristics / A Homogeneous Core / A Preponderant Foundation:
The theme of ‘globally consistent’ is predominantly supported by such codes as “high degree of consistency”, “global consensus”, and “strong commonality.”
Phrases include, for these codes A.1 through A.3:
A.1. For high degree of consistency:
|
Code |
Quote |
Location |
Author |
|
High degree of consistency |
“There is a high degree of consistency in the foundational basis of naturopathic practice.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)
|
Lloyd, Steel, Wardle |
|
|
“There is a high degree of consistency in aspects of naturopathic practice around the world, especially as it relates to the philosophical approach to healthcare.”
|
“WNF Naturopathic Educational Program Report” (2021) |
Lloyd, Hausser |
|
|
“There is a high degree of consistency in how naturopathic practitioners (NP) practice around the world.”
|
“WNF Naturopathic Journal Report” (2020) |
Lloyd, Hausser |
|
|
“There is a high degree of global consistency in the core concepts that define naturopathy.”
|
“WNF – Terminology Document” (2019) |
Hausser, Lloyd, Arankalle, Banchieri, Brown, DeGroot, Finnell, Kieffer, Myers, Menon, Poorna
|
|
|
“As determined by the 2015 and 2016 WNF surveys there is a high degree of global consistency in the core concepts that define naturopathy.”
|
“WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories” (2017) |
Hausser, Lloyd, Yanez, Cottingham, Newman Turner, Abascal |
|
|
“In 2015 the WNF surveyed naturopathic educational institutions, national naturopathic organizations and regional naturopathic organizations seeking clarification on how naturopathy / naturopathic medicine was practiced globally. The results of that survey indicated an extremely high degree of consistency with respect to naturopathic philosophies, principles and theories and agreement in a core set of naturopathic modalities used in naturopathic practice globally.”
|
“WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories” (2017) |
Hausser, Lloyd, Yanez, Cottingham, Newman Turner, Abascal |
|
Quote |
Location |
Authors |
|
|
Global consensus
|
“Global consensus of naturopathic principles reported by naturopathic professional associations.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Hausser, Myers |
|
|
“A 2015 survey of the global naturopathic profession indicated that there was global consensus on the naturopathic principles as they pertain to naturopathic practice.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Hausser, Myers |
|
|
“The naturopathic profession is defined by its philosophies, principles and theories and the WNF surveys have indicated this is an area of global consensus.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Hausser, Dunn |
|
|
“Naturopathic principles: There is global consensus on the naturopathic principles within the profession.”
|
“2018 WNF Update” (2018) |
Collective |
|
Code |
Quote |
Location |
Author |
|
Strong commonality |
“There was close to 100% agreement on the naturopathic principles. There was also a strong commonality in the naturopathic theories taught worldwide.”
|
“World Naturopathic Federation Report” (2015) |
Lloyd, Wardle, Parker, Hausser, Cottingham |
b. The WNF’s Claim of Naturopathy Being Distinct:
Phrases include, for the code distinct:
c. The WNF’s Claim of Naturopathy Being a Blend:
Phrases include, for the code of blend, or combines or integrates:
|
Code |
Quote |
Location |
Author |
|
Blend |
“This contemporary practice of naturopathy/naturopathic medicine draws on both traditional knowledge and modern scientific research.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Redmond, Graham, Steel
|
|
|
“The naturopathic profession as a sophisticated and nuanced traditional system of medicine that combines modern research and traditional knowledge within a person-centered paradigm.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Steel |
|
|
“Naturopathic physical medicine has been described as a modality that ‘integrates both scientific knowledge in physical medicine and the principles of naturopathic medicine into a distinct approach to physical medicine practice’.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Greenfield, Lloyd |
|
|
“Naturopathic medicine […] blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine.” |
“WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories” (2017)
|
Hausser, Lloyd, Yanez, Cottingham, Newman Turner, Abascal |
|
|
“The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific and empirical methods.”
|
“World Naturopathic Federation Report” (2015) |
Lloyd, Wardle, Parker, Hausser, Cottingham |
D. and E. – KNOWLEDGE theme:
D. The WNF’s Claim of Patient and Community Educating:
D.1. Phrases include, for the code of patient education:
|
Code |
Quote |
Location |
Author |
|
Patient education |
“A principal objective of naturopathic patient education is to empower patients, increase health literacy and encourage patients to become more accountable and capable of maintaining their own health.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Hausser, Myers |
|
|
“Health promotion and patient education are crucial to improved population health and are also among the core principles that define naturopathy/naturopathic medicine.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Steel, Lloyd |
D.2. Phrases include, for the code of community education:
|
Community education |
“98% of the naturopathic workforce engage in community education and health promotion activities, hence they are well-suited to play a more formal role in public health initiatives aimed at increasing health literacy and healthy choices.”
|
“WNF – Social Media Guide” (2022) |
Collective |
|
|
“Community education is a key activity of the global naturopathic profession with naturopaths/ naturopathic doctors.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Hausser, Myers |
|
|
“Naturopaths/NDs are actively engaged in various forms of community education and health promotion activities and can support public health initiatives aimed at increasing community health literacy.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Steel |
|
|
“Naturopaths/naturopathic doctors appear to be more active in health promotion and community education than most other primary care practitioners, and research suggests that they are an effective tool for translating research health promotion tools into clinical practice.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Wardle, Steel, Lloyd |
|
|
“The naturopathic profession is actively engaged in community education and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.”
|
“WNF Technology Enhanced Education (2021)” |
Lloyd, Hausser |
E. The WNF’s Claim of Science, Evidence, Technology and Research Basis theme:
E.1. Phrases include, for the code of science:
|
Code |
Quote |
Location |
Author |
|
Science |
“76.2% of naturopaths/NDs report using information published in scientific journals to inform patient care.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Steel, Leach, Brosnan, Ward, Lloyd |
|
|
“Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences […].”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Steel, Wardle |
|
|
“[The citation authored by one of the major editors and WNF principals] Lloyd, I., The Energetics of Health: A Naturopathic Assessment. 2009: Elsevier Health Sciences.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Hausser, Myers |
|
|
“Among the information sources used to inform care, information published in scientific journals was the most widely used.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Steel, Leach, Brosnan, Ward, Lloyd |
|
|
“The complexity science approach enables effective examination of naturopathic practice.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Redmond, Graham, Steel |
|
|
“[The citation co-edited by one of the major editors and WNF principals] Wardle, J. and Sarris, J., Clinical naturopathy: An evidence-based guide to practice. 2014: Elsevier Health Sciences.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Redmond, Graham, Steel |
|
|
“This Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report on naturopathy was compiled to provide an evidence-based summary of naturopathic practice and the safety, economics and effectiveness of naturopathic care. The scope of the HTA was informed by research conducted by the international naturopathic community over the last thirty years encompassing over 2000 peer-reviewed scientific articles of which more than 300 clinical studies involving over 100 different health populations are outlined in this report.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Steel, Wardle |
|
|
“The strong science-based training of most government-accredited naturopathic programs […including] United States of America […] National University of Health Sciences […and in] Australia […] Endeavour College of Natural Health […and in] Canada […] Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.”
|
“World Naturopathic Federation Report” (2015) |
Lloyd, Wardle, Parker, Hausser, Cottingham |
E.2. Phrases include, for the code of evidence:
|
Code |
Quote |
Location |
Author |
|
Evidence |
“Knowing how to interpret naturopathic research and various research methodologies is an important aspect of evidence-based naturopathic care.”
|
“WNF Naturopathic Educational Program Guide” (2022) |
Lloyd, Hausser |
|
|
“The naturopathic profession has a long tradition of generating new knowledge and naturopaths/ NDs have been described as early adopters of various forms of research, and as improving evidence-based approaches to practice while maintaining a strong connection to their naturopathic philosophies and principles.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Steel, Wardle |
|
|
“This Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report on naturopathy was developed to provide an evidence-based summary of naturopathic practice and the safety, economics and effectiveness of naturopathic care.“
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Steel, Wardle |
|
|
“Naturopaths/naturopathic doctors combine evidence-based biomedical approaches to diagnostics with traditional profession-specific diagnostic methods.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd |
|
|
“Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an important component of contemporary clinical decision making and is integral to the provision of quality health care.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Steel, Leach, Brosnan, Ward, Lloyd |
|
|
“Naturopaths/NDs demonstrate application of both evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care principles when they use and apply knowledge and information.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Steel, Leach, Brosnan, Ward, Lloyd |
|
|
“Naturopathy/naturopathic medicine is a system of healthcare that is an exemplar of the type of care applied within the burgeoning field of integrative oncology – ‘a patient-centered, evidence-informed field of cancer care’ […] the guidelines outline principles of integrative oncology that are based on sound ethical and evidence-informed approaches for naturopaths/naturopathic doctors who provide care to patients diagnosed with cancer.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Schloss, Brown, Seely |
|
|
“Naturopaths/naturopathic doctors are found to follow evidence-based approaches.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Aucoin |
|
|
“[The citation co-edited by a WNF principal] Sarris, J. and Wardle, J., eds. Clinical naturopathy: An evidence-based guide to practice. 3rd ed. 2019, Elsevier Health Sciences: Chatswood, NSW.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Schloss, Steel, Hannan |
|
|
“Naturopathic practice is knowledge-based and evidence-informed.”
|
“WNF Technology Enhanced Education (2021)” |
Lloyd, Hausser |
E.3. Phrases include, for the code of technology:
|
Code |
Quote |
Location |
Author |
|
Technology
|
“The compiling of this health technology assessment (HTA) on naturopathy was made possible due to the generous support of naturopathic researchers around the world and membership organizations of the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF).”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Steel, Wardle |
|
|
“This Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report on naturopathy was developed to provide an evidence-based summary of naturopathic practice and the safety, economics and effectiveness of naturopathic care.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Steel, Wardle |
|
|
“This Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on Naturopathy was initiated by the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF).”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Wardle, Steel, Lloyd |
E.4. Phrases include, for the code of research basis:
|
Code |
Quote |
Location |
Author |
|
Research basis |
“The naturopathic research community shows the interest and capability to conduct high quality research that meets rigorous standards to which all health research is held when it has access to the required funding.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Schloss, McIntyre, Steel, Bradley, Harnett, Redmond, Hawrelak, Goldenberg, Van De Venter, Cooley |
|
|
“The international naturopathic research community has demonstrated sustained commitment to codifying and synthesizing existing knowledge, generating new knowledge and disseminating this knowledge to the wider clinical and research community.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Steel, Wardle |
|
|
“Naturopathic researchers engage in a diverse range of research topics, with the main countries contributing to being naturopathic researchers from the USA (37.2%), Australia (27.8%), [and] Canada (15.2%).”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Wardle, Steel, Lloyd |
|
|
“This overview is essential to understanding the research-based evidence associated with naturopathy/ naturopathic medicine.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Steel |
|
|
“The WNF has produced research-based rapid reviews.”
|
“White Paper: Role of Naturopathic Practice Within a Global Pandemic” (2020)
|
Collective |
|
|
“There is a tremendous breadth of naturopathic research spanning many different aspects of naturopathic practice as well as disease states and conditions.”
|
“2018 WNF Update” (2018) |
Collective |
|
|
"Naturopathic research is being conducted in 73% of the countries surveyed.”
|
“World Naturopathic Federation Report” (2015) |
Lloyd, Wardle, Parker, Hausser, Cottingham |
|
|
“There are over twenty-five agencies that fund naturopathic medicine and naturopathic research.”
|
“World Naturopathic Federation Report” (2015) |
Lloyd, Wardle, Parker, Hausser, Cottingham |
|
|
“The practice of naturopathic medicine in Canada is supported by naturopathic research.”
|
“World Naturopathic Federation Report” (2015) |
Lloyd, Wardle, Parker, Hausser, Cottingham |
|
|
“Over fifty research-based naturopathic journals and databases that have been established to support the ongoing practice of naturopathic medicine.”
|
“World Naturopathic Federation Report” (2015) |
Lloyd, Wardle, Parker, Hausser, Cottingham |
|
|
“A number of naturopathic journals are research-based with peer reviewed articles written by naturopaths / naturopathic doctors.”
|
“World Naturopathic Federation Report” (2015) |
Lloyd, Wardle, Parker, Hausser, Cottingham |
|
|
“In addition to the International Journal of Naturopathic Medicine (IJNM), the naturopathic research-based journals listed, by region [are].”
|
“World Naturopathic Federation Report” (2015) |
Lloyd, Wardle, Parker, Hausser, Cottingham |
[continues here]
F – H. – PHILOSOPHY, PRINCIPLES and THEORIES themes:
Collectively for the F through H theme group, the language “philosophy, principles and theories” occurs at least 70 times in the WNFM.
The phrases include:
|
Code |
Quote |
Location |
Author |
|
Philosophy, principles and theories |
“The key subjects in naturopathic history, philosophies, principles and theories includes […] philosophies: vitalism and holism. Principles: first, do no harm (primum non nocere), healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae), treat the cause (tolle causam), treat the whole person (tolle totum), doctor as teacher (docere), health promotion and disease prevention, wellness and wellbeing. Theories including naturopathic therapeutic order, emunctory theory and theory of complex systems, as well as others.”
|
“WNF Naturopathic Educational Program Guide” (2022) |
Lloyd, Hausser |
|
|
“The practice of naturopathy/naturopathic medicine has always been and continues to be structured around philosophies, principles, and theories.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Myers, Lloyd, Hausser |
|
|
“Together the naturopathic philosophies, principles and theories guide naturopathic care and describe a theoretical basis to health and disease.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Myers, Lloyd, Hausser |
|
|
“The areas of consistency included agreement on the naturopathic philosophies, principles and theories that are foundational to naturopathic practice.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Hausser, Dunn |
|
|
“The naturopathic profession is defined by its philosophies, principles and theories and the WNF surveys have indicated this is an area of global consensus.”
|
“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021) |
Lloyd, Hausser, Dunn |
|
|
“Naturopathy is defined by its philosophies, principles and theories.”
|
“White Paper: Role of Naturopathic Practice Within a Global Pandemic” (2020)
|
Collective |
|
|
“All world regions and all naturopathic educational institutions teach and practice according to a core set of naturopathic philosophies, principles and theories.”
|
“WNF – Terminology Document” (2019) |
Hausser, Lloyd, Arankalle, Banchieri, Brown, DeGroot, Finnell, Kieffer, Myers, Menon, Poorna |
|
|
“The aim of this document is to provide clarification on the naturopathic philosophies, principles and theories that compose the foundation of naturopathic practice and thought.”
|
“WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories” (2017) |
Hausser, Lloyd, Yanez, Cottingham, Turner, Abascal |
|
|
“The results of that survey indicated an extremely high degree of consistency with respect to naturopathic philosophies, principles and theories.”
|
“WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories” (2017) |
Hausser, Lloyd, Yanez, Cottingham, Turner, Abascal |
|
|
“At the July 2017 WNF General Assembly the WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories was discussed and endorsed by the WNF membership.”
|
“WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories” (2017) |
Hausser, Lloyd, Yanez, Cottingham, Turner, Abascal |
|
|
“What we trust that you will take away from this summary is the consistency in concepts over time and how the foundation of naturopathic practice, that is it’s [sic] philosophies, principles and theories have not only survived the test of time, but are becoming the central focus in health care once again.”
|
“WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories” (2017) |
Hausser, Lloyd, Yanez, Cottingham, Turner, Abascal |
|
|
“Due to the high degree of consistency on naturopathic terms, principles and theories it was deemed that a comparison across select parameters was not warranted.”
|
“World Naturopathic Federation Report” (2015) |
Lloyd, Wardle, Parker, Hausser, Cottingham |
No comments:
Post a Comment