Artificial Intelligence in Australian Naturopathic Practice: A National Survey
Researchers: Sofja Silcenko, Associate Professor Janet Schloss
Southern Cross University is conducting a national study exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) is being integrated into naturopathic practice across Australia. This pioneering research will provide the first empirical insights into AI awareness, adoption, and perceptions among naturopaths, helping inform education, ethical policy, and clinical innovation.
Participation:
- Complete a 10–12 minute anonymous online survey
- Open to Australian naturopathic practitioners currently in practice, or those who have practiced within the last 12 months
- Participation is voluntary, and you may skip questions or withdraw at any time
Benefits: Your responses will help shape the responsible and values-aligned integration of AI in naturopathic care.
📧 For questions, contact: s.silcenko.10@student.scu.edu.au
🔗 Link: AI in Naturopathic Practice – A National Survey
Ethics Approval: HREC 2026/035, Southern Cross University
Global study on the Integration of Traditional & Complementary Medicine Providers
This international research project explores how traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) providers are integrated into health systems around the world.
With growing demand for policy guidance related to the T&CM workforce, this study aims to gather practitioner and community insights to complement existing country-level data. Findings may help inform future health policy development and clinical practice internationally.
Study Lead
Dr Rachel Canaway
Department of General Practice & Primary Care
Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Research Team:
- Associate Professor Pascoal Amaral – Jean Piaget Polytechnic Institute of the South and the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Portugal
- Dr Daniela Ramirez-Duran – Department of General Practice & Primary Care, The University of Melbourne
- Dr Jo-anne Hughson – Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne
- Dr Nupur Nag – Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne
- Dr Katja Boysen – Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Dr Jennifer Carè – The University of Melbourne & University of Technology Sydney, Australia
Survey Details:
Open until end of March 2026
Open to anyone aged 18+
Takes approximately 10 minutes to complete
Languages:
The survey is conducted in English. Queries can be responded to in French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Broad participation is essential to support outcomes that may positively influence national and international health policy. We encourage sharing this study widely across professional and community networks.
Preventative Care in Practice (PCiP) Study – Phase 1
Are you a Naturopath practicing in Australia and over 18? Your experience matters!
We invite you to participate in the Preventive Care in Practice (PCiP) Study – Phase 1, a research project led by Tina Taylor, PhD Candidate at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). This study explores how Naturopaths engage with preventive care and health promotion in clinical practice.
Why Participate?
Your insights will help us understand:
- How practitioners currently approach health promotion.
- Confidence and strategies used in practice.
- Opportunities to strengthen training, support, and connections with the broader health promotion community.
Study Details
- Format: Online survey
- Time: 20–40 minutes
- Confidentiality: Completely anonymous
- Ethics: Approved by the UTS Human Research Ethics Committee (ETH25-1160)
- Incentive: Optional entry into a draw to win a $200 voucher
Optional Phase 2
Participants can register their interest in Phase 2 (Logbook Study), which explores preventive care practices in real-time clinical settings. We welcome practitioners regardless of their current level of engagement in health promotion.
Participate Now
https://utsau.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8e63SXuhbzzN3oy👉 Take the PCiP Survey
Please share this with your colleagues – every perspective helps shape the future of Naturopathic practice!
Contact
For questions, email: tina.taylor@student.uts.edu.au
For concerns regarding ethics, contact the UTS Research Ethics Officer at +61 2 9514 2478 or Research.Ethics@uts.edu.au, quoting UTS HREC reference ETH25-1160.
Global study on the Integration of Traditional & Complementary Medicine Providers
This international research project explores how traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) providers are integrated into health systems around the world.
With growing demand for policy guidance related to the T&CM workforce, this study aims to gather practitioner and community insights to complement existing country-level data. Findings may help inform future health policy development and clinical practice internationally.
Study Lead
Dr Rachel Canaway
Department of General Practice & Primary Care
Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Research Team:
- Associate Professor Pascoal Amaral – Jean Piaget Polytechnic Institute of the South and the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Portugal
- Dr Daniela Ramirez-Duran – Department of General Practice & Primary Care, The University of Melbourne
- Dr Jo-anne Hughson – Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne
- Dr Nupur Nag – Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne
- Dr Katja Boysen – Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Dr Jennifer Carè – The University of Melbourne & University of Technology Sydney, Australia
Survey Details:
Open until end of March 2026
Open to anyone aged 18+
Takes approximately 10 minutes to complete
Languages:
The survey is conducted in English. Queries can be responded to in French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Broad participation is essential to support outcomes that may positively influence national and international health policy. We encourage sharing this study widely across professional and community networks.
Have You Worked with Children or Adolescents with ADHD?
Southern Cross University student researcher and naturopath Fin (Tiffany) Mackenzie is conducting an important research project exploring how naturopaths in Australia manage ADHD in children and adolescents. Despite rising ADHD diagnoses and increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), no research has yet investigated Whole Systems Naturopathy in this area.
This anonymous online survey aims to capture the real-world insights of practitioners to help build an evidence base that could support best practice, clinical education, and future research. The study has been approved by the SCU Human Research Ethics Committee (SCU HREC: 2025/117).
If you have experience supporting young people with ADHD in your clinical practice, we encourage you to participate in the survey at the link below.
Your input is valued and appreciated.
PhD Research on Autism & Naturopathy
Monica Doherty – a naturopath, nutritionist, late-diagnosed autistic woman, and PhD student at Southern Cross University – is conducting important research on the is conducting important research on the experiences of autistic adults consulting naturopaths for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) support in Australia.
About the study:
- Semi-structured interviews with autistic adults who have seen a naturopath
- A focus group with naturopaths who have supported autistic clients
Financial compensation:
Participants will receive a $50 voucher in appreciation of their time
About you:
- An autistic adult who has consulted a naturopath
- A naturopath with experience supporting autistic clients …we’d love to hear from you!
Contact:
Contact Monica at: m.doherty.12@student.scu.edu.au
Calling all final-year naturopathy students and recent graduates!
We’re excited to share an opportunity to take your clinical interests further through Honours or higher degree research with Charles Sturt University.
A/Prof Sokcheon Pak and Dr Soo Liang Ooi are currently seeking 1–2 Honours students to join a new research project exploring naturopathic support for cancer in Australia.
If you’re passionate about evidence-based naturopathic practice and want to contribute to meaningful research in our profession, this may be a perfect next step.
Interested in learning more? Contact Soo Liang Ooi at sooi@csu.edu.au
Call for Practitioners – Support Research on Patient Health Literacy & Preventive Health
The NHAA is pleased to share an important research project being conducted by Chanelle Mastronardo, PhD student at the University of Technology Sydney. This ARC-funded study is led by Chanelle in collaboration with A/Prof Amie Steel, D/Prof Jon Adams, and Dr Vicky Ward.
This project explores how osteopaths, naturopaths, Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists support patients with health advice relating to smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and diet. The aim is to better understand how these professions contribute to public health, patient health literacy, and improved health outcomes across diverse communities.
About the Study – This cross-sectional survey examines how patients seek, receive, and use health information from their practitioner in key preventive health areas. The research is part of the broader ARC-funded project Engaging the forgotten public health workforce: ensuring the impact of the National Preventative Health Strategy (FT220100610).
Who Can Participate? Your patients are eligible if they:
- Are 18 years or older
- Have consulted you in the past 12 months
- Can complete an online survey in English
What Participation Involves – Participation is completely voluntary and anonymous. Practitioners will not know whether their patients choose to take part.
Patients will:
1. Read an online information sheet
2. Complete a 10-minute survey
3. Have the option to enter a draw for one of two $250 gift vouchers
4. Have the option to register interest in a follow-up study
Participants may withdraw at any time with no consequences.
How Practitioners Can Help – Practitioners are invited to support this project by sharing the survey link or QR code (provided in the button below) with their patient community. No further involvement is required.
Your participation helps strengthen the evidence base for how complementary medicine practitioners contribute to preventive health and support patient health literacy.
Ethics application number: ETH25-11057
This project forms part of the ARC-funded study Engaging the forgotten public health workforce (FT220100610) and has been approved by the University of Technology Sydney HREC (#ETH25-11057).
Invitation to Participate – Delphi Study on Naturopathic Clinical Reasoning (Phase 3)
The NHAA is pleased to share an important research project being conducted by Southern Cross University as part of a PhD study led by Dr Manisha Thakkar. This Delphi Study aims to refine and validate a new Naturopathic Medicine Clinical Reasoning (NMCR) Framework, strengthening how future practitioners learn, apply, and teach clinical reasoning in naturopathic practice.
About the Study –
This study forms Phase 3 of a multi-stage Delphi process designed to gather consensus from experienced naturopathic practitioners and educators. Participants will review the NMCR Framework and contribute their expert feedback through a structured online survey. The goal is to ensure the framework reflects real-world clinical reasoning and supports the development of competent, confident practitioners.
Who Can Participate?
Australian naturopaths who meet the following criteria:
- Hold a recognised qualification in naturopathic medicine
- Have 5+ years of clinical practice, or 2+ years post-graduate clinical practice
- Are currently practising in Australia
- Are engaged in teaching clinical reasoning (publication experience recommended)
What Participation Involves –
Participation is voluntary. Eligible practitioners will:
- Complete an online consent form
- Receive the NMCR Framework and the Round 1 Delphi survey
- Provide structured feedback on the framework
- Be invited to subsequent Delphi rounds if consensus is not yet reached
Participants may withdraw at any time without consequence.
How Practitioners Can Get Involved –
To join the study, simply complete the consent form via the link below. Once received, the research team will send you the NMCR Framework and next steps.
👉 Consent Form: https://scuau.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_elX7jxiYaE8Az8q
👉 Learn more: https://www.clinicalreasoningframework.com/delphi
Your participation will help strengthen naturopathic clinical education and support the next generation of practitioners.Call for Practitioners – Support Research on Patient Health Literacy & Preventive Health
The NHAA is pleased to share an important research project being conducted by Chanelle Mastronardo, PhD student at the University of Technology Sydney. This ARC-funded study is led by Chanelle in collaboration with A/Prof Amie Steel, D/Prof Jon Adams, and Dr Vicky Ward.
This project explores how osteopaths, naturopaths, Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists support patients with health advice relating to smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and diet. The aim is to better understand how these professions contribute to public health, patient health literacy, and improved health outcomes across diverse communities.
About the Study – This cross-sectional survey examines how patients seek, receive, and use health information from their practitioner in key preventive health areas. The research is part of the broader ARC-funded project Engaging the forgotten public health workforce: ensuring the impact of the National Preventative Health Strategy (FT220100610).
Who Can Participate? Your patients are eligible if they:
- Are 18 years or older
- Have consulted you in the past 12 months
- Can complete an online survey in English
What Participation Involves – Participation is completely voluntary and anonymous. Practitioners will not know whether their patients choose to take part.
Patients will:
1. Read an online information sheet
2. Complete a 10-minute survey
3. Have the option to enter a draw for one of two $250 gift vouchers
4. Have the option to register interest in a follow-up study
Participants may withdraw at any time with no consequences.
How Practitioners Can Help – Practitioners are invited to support this project by sharing the survey link or QR code (provided in the button below) with their patient community. No further involvement is required.
Your participation helps strengthen the evidence base for how complementary medicine practitioners contribute to preventive health and support patient health literacy.
Ethics application number: ETH25-11057
This project forms part of the ARC-funded study Engaging the forgotten public health workforce (FT220100610) and has been approved by the University of Technology Sydney HREC (#ETH25-11057).