17 Naturopathic Physician Interview Questions and Answers

A naturopathic physician (ND) is a primary care provider who uses natural therapies to treat patients. Naturopathic physicians are trained in the use of botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, physical medicine, and lifestyle counseling.

If you’re interested in becoming an ND, you’ll need to complete a 4-year doctoral program at an accredited naturopathic medical school. Once you’ve graduated, you’ll need to pass a licensing exam in order to practice.

The interview process for naturopathic medical school is similar to the process for other medical schools. You can expect to be asked about your motivation for pursuing a career in naturopathic medicine, your clinical experience, and your knowledge of naturopathic principles and therapies. You may also be asked to provide examples of how you would handle specific clinical scenarios.

To help you prepare for your interviews, we’ve compiled a list of common naturopathic physician interview questions and answers.

Are you certified as a naturopathic physician?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are committed to your career as a naturopathic physician. If you are certified, explain what steps you took to become certified and how it has helped you in your career. If you aren’t certified, explain why you haven’t pursued certification yet and what steps you plan on taking to get certified.

Example: “I am currently working toward my certification through the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. I have been studying for this exam since I graduated from my program last year. Becoming certified will help me prove to patients that I am qualified to treat them.”

What are the most common conditions you treat as a naturopathic physician?

This question can help an interviewer understand the types of patients you typically work with and how your experience may be beneficial to their practice. Use examples from your previous job or describe a type of patient that you would enjoy working with in this role.

Example: “I have worked with many different types of patients, but I find that my most rewarding experiences are when I am able to help someone who has been struggling with chronic conditions for years. In my last position, I had a patient who was suffering from severe allergies and asthma. After several months of treatment, she was able to reduce her medication intake by 50% and felt much better overall.”

How do you determine the best course of treatment for a patient?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the steps you take to ensure that patients receive the best care possible. Use examples from previous experience to explain how you make decisions about treatment plans, including what factors you consider when making these choices.

Example: “I first ask my patients about their symptoms and medical history so I have a better idea of what they’re experiencing. Then, I perform an examination to determine if there are any physical signs or symptoms that may be related to their condition. After this, I review all of the information I’ve gathered with them to discuss my findings and recommendations for treatment.”

What is your approach to working with patients who are resistant to conventional treatments?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might approach a challenging patient. You can use your answer to show that you are able to work with patients who have different opinions and approaches than yourself, as well as those who may not be open to alternative treatments.

Example: “I believe it’s important to respect the decisions of my patients, even if they differ from my own. I would first try to find out why the patient is resistant to conventional medicine. If there is something about their experience or treatment that has made them skeptical, I will do my best to address their concerns and provide information on other options.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to do research to learn more about a natural treatment for a patient.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your research skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from your experience where you had to do additional research on a natural treatment or alternative medicine method to help a patient.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with patients who were interested in using essential oils for their health needs. While I am familiar with many of the benefits of these oils, I wanted to ensure that I was providing accurate information to all of my patients. To do so, I researched several resources online to find reputable websites that provided detailed information on the uses of different essential oils. I then printed out some of the most helpful articles and gave them to each patient at their next appointment.”

If a patient came to you with a serious condition, such as cancer, how would you help them manage their symptoms?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as your ability to work with patients who are facing serious health issues.

Example: “If a patient came to me with cancer, I would first do an extensive physical exam to determine the extent of their symptoms. From there, I would order any necessary diagnostic tests to get a better idea of what stage they’re at in their treatment. After that, I would develop a plan for them based on their individual needs. For example, if they were going through chemotherapy, I would recommend ways for them to manage their side effects, such as nausea or fatigue.”

What would you do if a patient came to you with a condition you were unfamiliar with?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle challenges. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to do research and learn new things. You can also mention that you would refer the patient to a medical doctor if necessary.

Example: “If I had never seen a condition before, I would first try to understand it by researching it thoroughly. If I still didn’t know what was causing the symptoms, I would refer the patient to a medical doctor for further diagnosis. This is because naturopathic physicians are not qualified to diagnose or treat all conditions.”

How well do you work with other medical professionals to provide the best care for your patients?

Working with other medical professionals is an important part of being a naturopathic physician. You may work with nurses, physical therapists and dieticians to provide the best care for your patients. Interviewers want to know that you can collaborate well with others. Use examples from your experience where you worked together with other medical professionals to help patients.

Example: “I have found that working with other medical professionals has been very beneficial in my career as a naturopathic physician. I once had a patient who was struggling with chronic pain. After doing some research, I learned that they were also suffering from hypothyroidism. I discussed this with their primary care doctor, and we decided to treat both conditions at the same time. The patient’s thyroid levels returned to normal, and they no longer experienced any pain.”

Do you have experience working with patients who have severe dietary restrictions?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to work with patients who have unique needs. They want to know that you can help patients achieve their health goals while also respecting their wishes and preferences. In your answer, try to show that you are empathetic and willing to accommodate the needs of your patients.

Example: “I’ve worked with many patients who have severe dietary restrictions in the past. I always make sure to thoroughly discuss a patient’s diet before recommending any supplements or treatments. If they’re on a restrictive diet for medical reasons, I will never recommend anything that would conflict with their current treatment plan. For example, if someone is vegan but wants to take fish oil supplements, I will explain why that might not be the best idea.”

When is it appropriate to recommend a patient try a new natural remedy or treatment?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your decision-making process and how you apply it in your practice. Use examples from your experience that show how you consider the patient’s needs, preferences and goals when making decisions about treatment plans.

Example: “I always start with a natural remedy or treatment first because I believe these are often the most effective options for patients. However, if I notice a patient isn’t responding well to a particular treatment plan, I will recommend they try something new. For example, I had a patient who was having trouble sleeping due to stress. We tried several different remedies before finding one that worked for them. In this case, it was important to keep trying until we found an option that helped them feel better.”

We want to improve our outreach to local communities. How would you go about doing this?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to collaborate with others. Your answer should include a specific example of how you have worked with community members in the past.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for organizing outreach events at local schools. We would bring our naturopathic medicine information to classrooms so that students could learn about natural health care options before they were exposed to pharmaceutical marketing campaigns. This helped us reach thousands of children who may not have otherwise known about naturopathy.”

Describe your process for keeping up with changes in the field of naturopathic medicine.

This question can help interviewers understand how you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in your field. Use examples of how you’ve kept up with changes in the past and what resources you use to learn about new information.

Example: “I have a subscription to several naturopathic medicine journals, which I read regularly. In addition, I attend conferences and seminars on topics that interest me or that I feel I need more education on. I also subscribe to online newsletters from my favorite naturopathic physicians.”

What makes you stand out from other naturopathic physicians?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have unique skills and experiences. You can answer this question by describing a skill or experience that makes you different from other naturopathic physicians.

Example: “I am passionate about helping patients find natural solutions for their health problems, which is why I became a naturopathic physician. In my last position as a naturopathic physician, I noticed that many of my patients were struggling with weight loss. To help them achieve their goals, I developed a program that focused on healthy eating habits and exercise. The program was so successful that it’s now used in my clinic.”

Which natural remedies or treatments do you recommend most frequently?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your experience and expertise. Use examples from your previous job to show how you helped patients with common ailments or conditions.

Example: “I recommend natural remedies for seasonal allergies, digestive issues and stress management. I find that these are some of the most common health concerns my patients have. In my last role as a naturopathic physician, I worked with many patients who had seasonal allergies. I recommended herbal supplements like quercetin and vitamin C to help reduce inflammation in their bodies. For digestive issues, I often recommend probiotics and enzymes to help support healthy digestion. Finally, I find that stress management is important for everyone. I use guided meditation techniques and breathing exercises to help my patients relax.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a naturopathic physician to have?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role. Your answer should include a skill that you feel confident using and one that you are actively working on improving.

Example: “I think the most important skill for a naturopathic physician is empathy. I believe that being able to understand my patients’ unique needs and concerns allows me to provide them with more personalized care. In my previous position, I worked hard to develop my empathetic skills by regularly asking questions about my patients’ lives and listening carefully to their answers.”

How often do you update your medical records?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you keep your records organized and up to date. It can also show them how often you visit patients in between appointments. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you had to update your records quickly or provide an example of how you organize your records.

Example: “I make sure to update my medical records at least once every two weeks. This is because I like to have all of my notes from each appointment with a patient before seeing them again so that I can focus on their current health rather than what they were doing last week. In this way, I can spend more time talking with them about their progress and any questions they may have.”

There is a new treatment that hasn’t been approved by the FDA. Your patient wants to try it. How do you handle this?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to evaluate your decision-making process and how you handle conflict. In your answer, demonstrate that you can make ethical decisions and communicate with patients about the risks of treatments.

Example: “I would first explain why the treatment hasn’t been approved by the FDA and discuss the potential risks involved. If my patient still wants to try it, I would monitor their progress closely and be ready to refer them to another physician if necessary.”