How Naturopathic Doctors Compliment Medical Doctors

Raena Morgan: Dr. Ferguson, can you see both a medical doctor and a naturopathic doctor at the same time? Dr. Todd Ferguson: Sure. In fact, so the patient knows, patients can do whatever they want to do. Raena Morgan: Okay. Dr. Todd Ferguson: Yeah, it I think it's a very good idea to see both. They both have different things to offer and it very much depends on the situation for acute emergent situations, usually the better choice is the MD. If you've got an emergency the ER is a good place to go. Raena Morgan: Okay. Dr. Tood Ferguson: But most of the patients I see both they part of that student insurance coverage, but they see both on and it works out to be very complementary because there are different skills to offer. We offer very good treatment for many chronic conditions that aren't treated well conventionally, and so a lot of patients are may be on a medication or two for a couple of things with their MD and through us they are working on that diet and lifestyle change to eventually not need the medication. Raena Morgan: Okay. Dr. Todd Ferguson: And most MDs are in favor of that. They would like to see their patients healthier and after medications we really try to be complementary with medical doctors. We see ourselves as adding something to the healthcare team and what all doctors want is they want the best healthcare for the patient and you know you got to say or you go a side and just think what's best for the patient. What we do is we try to offer that complementary care working with their MD. We want someone came and we won't just say, oh stop that medication right now. Even if we are considering that, first the call would be made to the MD; we discuss their healthcare, maybe I picked up something they didn't, who knows, but we have discussed the situation and between the two of us decide what's best. If that wasn't inducible at that time then we would work on other health measures and so they get to the point where it's obvious that they can go up for medication. Raena Morgan: So, it's not uncommon at all to be seeing an MD as well as a naturopathic physician? Dr. Todd Ferguson: No. It's not uncommon; in fact it's the norm. Raena Morgan: Okay. Thank you very much.