The Naturopath with a federal diploma in Ayurvedic medicine carries out a medical assessment and ensures that the therapeutic tools of alternative medicine can be used effectively without endangering health. He/she treats patients for acute as well as chronic diseases, follows and accompanies them throughout the different phases of illness and health. He/she also assesses the case submitted in terms of his/her competence and responsibilities and refers the patients to doctors and other specialists for further investigations, therapies or measures.
Basic knowledge of the natural sciences
- Important basic chemical processes: understanding of life processes (physiological and biological)
- Study of the most important organic and inorganic compounds for the functions of the human body (Fe, O2, acids/bases, redox, etc.)
Basic medical knowledge: biology, anatomy, physiology
- Basic biological processes in the human body:
- Human anatomy and physiology: integrated structure and functions of the body as a whole and of all body systems.
- Psychology and phases of human development: mental, emotional and physical development in the different phases and stages of life; links and interactions between the psyche and the body; growth and crisis control; learning and memory
- Terminology: use of common medical terminology
Basic medical knowledge: pathology
- Pathology, physiopathology, functional disorders
- Study of human diseases with their differential diagnoses and therapeutic concepts of classical medicine
- Traumatology, after-effects of accidents
Psychopathologies
- Psychopathologies and important developmental disorders
Medical and clinical examinations
- Classical medical examination measures and their conclusions
- Imaging methods (knowing the basic information provided by X-ray, CT-scan, MRI and ultrasound, without performing these examinations, their analysis or interpretation)
- Blood tests (hematology, blood chemistry, immunology, importance and consequences of major abnormalities)
- Imaging methods (know the basic information provided by radiography, CT scan, MRI and ultrasound, without performing these examinations, their analysis or interpretation)
- Know the clinical examination measures, their relevance and their conclusions for medical evaluation in one’s own consultation
Emergency medical measures
- First aid and emergency measures
- Initial life-saving measures (taken on the spot before a patient can be transferred or seen by an emergency physician) in case of respiratory arrest, cardiovascular failure, burns, hemorrhage, epilepsy, diabetic decompensation, thermal emergency, shock, intoxication, medication side effects, drug abuse
- Know (without practicing them yourself) the strategies of classical medicine and the concepts of emergency treatment
Pharmacology
- Know (but do not practice) the basic concepts of pharmacological medicine (general pharmacology)
- Mechanisms of action and side effects of important conventional drug therapies
Placebo and nocebo effects
Epidemiology
- Concepts, objectives and legislation of epidemiology
- The therapist’s activity in the epidemiological context
- Vaccine strategies
Hygiene and anti-infectious protection
- Principles of hygiene and protection against infections
- Disinfection and sterilization measures
Referral to other specialists
- Indications and framework conditions General possibilities, conditions and circumstances in which it is necessary to refer the patient to other specialists or organizations
Therapeutic concepts
- Basic concepts of conventional medical treatments: basic mode of action and possible effects on overall health (drug therapy, surgery, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, etc.)
- Basic concepts of the therapeutic systems of alternative medicine: basic concepts and their modes of action (Ayurveda, homeopathy, TCM and acupuncture, NTE, bioenergetics)
- Basic concepts of complementary therapy (yoga, craniotherapy, Feldenkrais method, Alexander method, shiatsu, etc.)
Diagnosis
- Actively acquires medical information through relevant questions in the history (and subsequent consultations) in order to arrive at a medical assessment and working diagnosis
- Performs necessary clinical examinations through focused questions to verify medical assessment
Medical Assessment
- Analyzes examination findings and all available information, including findings provided by the patient based on basic medical knowledge
- Judges the degree of complexity of the case and develops a classical medical assessment with a corresponding differential diagnosis; derives a working diagnosis and prognosis of the case
- Analyzes the risks and chances of an independent treatment. In the different phases of management, determines and justifies which patient he/she can treat with alternative medicine or when/why the patient should undergo a conventional medical examination or be referred to another specialist
Emergency Medical Action
- Independently performs medical first aid measures and emergency interventions appropriate to the case, if necessary, calling in the emergency doctor/ambulance (according to levels 1 and 2 of the CRS first aid course)
Referral to other specialists
- Organizes the referral of patients to other medical professionals or organizations, with whom he/she communicates in the appropriate terminology
Therapeutic concepts
- Applies knowledge of non-discipline specific therapeutic concepts (and their influence on health) to practical work; explains to patients the existing relationships and their possible consequences and suggests useful additions or changes
- Organizes, arranges or coordinates complementary treatments or therapeutic follow-up in accordance with decisions made in agreement with the patient
