When Bastyr University opens its San Diego campus next fall, it will be California’s only naturopathic medicine higher-education institution.
Which is quite surprising, really.
Californians hold a high level of interest in integrative medicine, as University leaders learned through their market research. The Golden State has a keen shortage of primary care physicians, an opportunity that could be filled by naturopathic doctors. And the state is one of 16 to license naturopathic doctors (NDs) to practice as primary care professionals (thanks in part to the University's advocacy to the 2003 state Legislature). Plus, California has 37 million residents — and the eighth largest economy in the world.
Given all that, it's been clear to University leaders since last summer that the opportunity to expand was as ripe as a California grapevine.
But the question of where to open a campus has taken more consideration. The University hired researchers to conduct market studies on several California locations: San Diego, Santa Ana, Irvine, Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley (north Los Angeles). Prospective students who were surveyed gave San Diego their highest preference. Prospective faculty did the same. Their reasons: the city's quality of life, a culture friendly toward natural medicine, and a strong presence of medical and higher-education institutions. Market demand for an eventual clinic in San Diego was encouraging, too.
That came as no surprise to the California Naturopathic Doctors Association (CNDA), a professional group that's been supporting Bastyr's efforts to open a California campus.
“We export more naturopathic medical students than any other state," says CNDA President Simon Barker, ND, a Bastyr alumnus. "I meet with people on a weekly basis who tell me they want to stay nearby. As a Southern California resident, I'm particularly excited. Not only does it provide a source of hope and pride for us, it also provides a source of training for tomorrow's primary care doctors in California."
California's shortage of primary care doctors is one of the most acute in the nation: Only one in four counties in the state has the recommended ratio of 60 to 80 primary care physicians for each 100,000 residents, according to the California Medical Association. The problem is expected to worsen as physicians retire, baby boomers age and require more care, and an estimated 6 million Californians become newly insured in 2014 under the U.S. Affordable Care Act.
Bastyr won't fill that shortage on its own, of course. University leaders expect about 40 students to enroll in each of the first few years. Those students will be well-positioned to show what natural medicine can contribute to health care challenges – in California and elsewhere.
"NDs are in the perfect place to fill that primary care gap," says Dr. Barker. "This is a great opportunity to do that in the best way possible.”
Love that your moving to CA.. and San Diego. I think it's a brilliant strategy.
ReplyDeleteI was very interested in Bastyr last year, but live in San Diego...it's like you were reading my mind! Thanks for branching out to my area!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lucky break for San Diego, however, urban lifestyles, pollution and stress are why I felt the Gold Coast of California would have been a better choice. I suspect very strong politics at work in the choice.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the days that N.D are licensed in Florida, its another great place for Alternative Medicine to thrive with nearly 360 days of sun and lots of retires that need more options in health care. My bachelors is in Alternative Med the only one of its kind in an accredited college. I'm reluctant though to leave my state just yet. I've had Many Naturopaths train me during my undergrad years they have so much knowledge to offer, views we all will see someday I hope
ReplyDeleteIt is wise to be cautious in this economy until the health care federal mandate is worked out...then it must be acknowledged that the primary care deficit of providers may well be augmented by PAs and NPs who will be covered under the narrow interpretation of insurers. TCM practitioners and NPs have been waiting to see western medicine integrate but evidence-based practice (however imperfect) will be the guide to insurance coverage. Still Americans spend over $34 billion dollars on alternative and complimentary medicine so for those who have the liquidity of self-pay, the move to San Diego is probably wise.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait! This is magnificent!
ReplyDeleteIf you people could put pressure somehow on Medicare to include Naturopathic doctors in the program, I'd switch to them in an instant.
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