In Oregon, Naturopathic Physicians (N.D.) are primary care practitioners trained as specialist in natural medicine.  They are educated in conventional medical sciences, but are not orthodox medical doctors (allopathic physicians, or M.D.). A Naturopathic Physician has a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine degree from a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical college with admission requirements comparable to those of conventional medical schools.

In addition to the standard medical curriculum, naturopathic students must do extensive coursework and clinical study in natural therapeutics. The doctors who practice naturopathic medicine are trained to serve as primary care general practitioners who are experts in the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of both acute and chronic health conditions.

For more reading:

Go to the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine web site:

http://www.oregon.gov/obnm/Pages/Aboutnaturopathy.aspx

or the American Association of Naturopathic Medicine site:

http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=59