How they may help address gaps in doctor shortage in Ontario
Originally published at muskokaregion.com on July 2, 2025
A Seat at the Table: Naturopathic Doctors Recognized in National Primary Care Discussion
For the first time in Canada, naturopathic doctors (NDs) have been included in a national dialogue about the future of primary care. As part of the federal Team Primary Care initiative, NDs sat alongside other health professionals to explore how collaborative care can better support Canadians’ needs.
Greg Nasmith, an inactive ND and consultant with the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), was a collaborator on the Compendium. Nasmith emphasized how rare it is for NDs to be included in this kind of cross-disciplinary dialogue and shared how the final report helps dispel misconceptions about naturopathic medicine. He highlighted the broad, evidence-informed training of NDs, their ability to support a wide range of non-urgent health concerns, and their role in easing pressure on the health system.
This milestone marks the growing recognition of the value that NDs bring to healthcare, including patient education, root-cause analysis, and holistic support. While still outside the public system in most provinces, NDs are regulated, increasingly accessible, and trained to support a wide range of primary care concerns.
View a compendium of roles in primary care.