None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
We aim to conduct an international prospective observational before and after study on naturopathic approaches to IBS. This will allow us to better describe naturopathic approaches to this disorder, establish the feasibility of building an international consortium of academic naturopathic clinics as well as the feasibility of recruiting participants. Our ultimate goal is to follow this observational study with a randomized active controlled trial using the same consortium and benefiting from lessons learned during this study. Our primary aims are descriptive. We aim to describe naturopathic approaches to IBS as well as establish pilot data on before and after changes in validated IBS instruments. Secondary aims include the feasibility of recruitment and operations across more than 9 sites in 4 countries; the establishment of an international research network of naturopathic teaching clinics; qualitative data gathering around the experience of patients seeking naturopathic care for IBS; and comparing the consensus results of our delphi panel of naturopathic IBS experts to the care received at the teaching clinics.
Interventions
Consultations with and treatment from a naturopathic student in a supervised clinical environment as part of an existing academic clinic. Participants will consult with a naturopathic student engaged in supervised clinical practicum as part of their naturopathic training. Student naturopaths will follow regular clinical process: full case history, individualised treatment plan development; input and advice from a qualified naturopathic doctor to finalise treatment plan; and discussion of treatme
Consultations with and treatment from a naturopathic student in a supervised clinical environment as part of an existing academic clinic. Participants will consult with a naturopathic student engaged in supervised clinical practicum as part of their naturopathic training. Student naturopaths will follow regular clinical process: full case history, individualised treatment plan development; input and advice from a qualified naturopathic doctor to finalise treatment plan; and discussion of treatment plan with participant, including treatment recommendations and prescriptions as appropriate. Each student naturopath will conduct their consultation in accordance with the legislation, policies, systems and processes appropriate to their country, region and institution. As such, this study will document treatment as it occurs in natural practice, at the discretion of the practitioner. The observation period will last for 12 weeks for each participant.
Sponsors
Dr Amie Steel
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Eligible participants are adults (18 years of age or older) who present to one of the participating naturopathic academic teaching clinics with a diagnosis of IBS (either preexisting or diagnosed by the naturopathic physician) which was a primary cause of the visit (listed within the top 3 diagnoses for the visit and addressed in the visit plan).
Exclusion criteria
Due to the naturalistic observational design, the only exclusion criteria will be that participants must have competent English skills to be able to understand and fill out the assessment forms and be over 18 years of age
Outcome results
None listed