Detoxifying Therapies, Case Study Example

Allen, J. Montalto, M. Lovejoy, J., & Weber, W. (2011). Detoxification in Naturopathic Medicine: A Survey. J Altern Complement Med. 17(12); 1175–1180.

This study pertained to assessing the way therapies of detoxification engaged by naturopathic doctors who have been practicing in America. It was a descriptive qualitative study involving surveys conducted through the internet after retrieving a convenience sample of doctors practicing the therapy. Naturopathic doctors’ sample was obtained from a membership list obtained though the ‘American Association of Naturopathic Physicians’ (Allen et.al, 2011, p 1175). Other list from the ‘alumni e-mail Council of Naturopathic Medical Education accredited naturopathic medical schools was also used (Allen et.al, 2011, p. 1175). Questionnaires were administered to ‘1442 e-mail addresses; 261 were returned ; 196 respondents completed the survey and returned them to the researchers (16.6%)’ (Allen et.al, 2011, p 1175).

Consequently, results revealed that 92% of respondents admitted to using clinical detoxification therapies. More than 75% of used it primarily in treating patients with environmental exposures issues. ‘General cleansing/preventive medicine, gastrointestinal disorders, and autoimmune disease’ (Allen et.al, 2011, p.1175) were also among the important reasons for using detoxifying therapies. When assessing methods used in the detoxifying process less than75% reported that they applied dietary measures, employed environmental reducing exposures techniques and botanicals (Allen et.al, 2011).

Researchers also discovered that 83% of naturopathic doctors adapted follow-up evaluations in determining the most effective detoxification therapies. Assessment techniques mostly used included questionnaires related to patient symptoms (66%), medical histories of patient histories (54%) and ‘urinary provocative challenge testing (53%)’ (Allen et.al, 2011, p p.1175).

My additional question is how other naturopathic doctors who did not participate in this study come into alignment with follow up assessment intervention strategies which are very useful information to the practice. This study results are valuable to nursing practice since effects of the environment toxicity should be considered before making a final diagnosis (Sullivan, 2001).

References

Allen, J. Montalto, M. Lovejoy, J., & Weber, W. (2011). Detoxification in Naturopathic Medicine: A Survey. J Altern Complement Med. 17(12); 1175–1180.

Sullivan, J. (2001). Clinical Environmental Health and Toxic Exposures. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.