FAQ's

WHAT DOES IT COST TO SEE DR. PINCOTT ?
WHAT DOES MSP COVER AND HOW DO I RECEIVE PAYMENT ?
WILL MY EXTENDED HEALTH PLAN COVER ANY OF THE FEES ?
Please visit Service Fees

WHY HAS DR. PINCOTT OPTED OUT OF THE MEDICAL PLAN ?
Dr. Pincott requires at least 30 minutes with each patient and MSP only covers for a 12 minute visit.

HOW MANY VISITS WILL I REQUIRE ?
This of course depends on the health condition. The word doctor means to teach, and Dr. Pincott will teach you how to take care of yourself. It usually takes 4-6 visits to educate you, and it is recommended that you check in once or twice a year for a "TUNE-UP".

WHAT CAN NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE DO FOR MY CONDITION ?
Naturopathic medicine can optimize anyone's health. It may not be possible to cure every ailment but, by following a naturopathic maintenance program, you will live a longer and healthier life as well as help prevent chronic diseases from robbing you of your health.

IS IT SAFE TO COMBINE MY MEDICATION FROM MY MEDICAL DOCTOR WITH NATUROPATHIC MEDICINES ?
For the most part it is quite safe, but it is important to let Dr. Pincott know all medications that you are taking.

WHY DOES DR. PINCOTT SELL MEDICINES IN HER CLINIC. CAN'T I GET EVERYTHING I NEED FROM THE HEALTH FOOD STORE?
Dr. Pincott encourages her patients to shop at health food stores, particularly for food items such as organically grown produce, free range meat, organic legumes and grains. Naturopathic treatments, however, require specialized medicines. Dr. Pincott sells remedies which she has come to know and to trust over the years. She knows what works and what doesn't. In addition, these professional products are more hypoallergenic and of much higher quality. If an unknown brand is not effective for you, its quality may be in question, not the choice of treatment.

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I RUN OUT OF MY MEDICINES ?
Dr. Pincott suggests that you maintain the program she has outlined for you until your next visit. She would be happy to send you medicines by mail or courier, or you may pick up what you require during your next visit.

WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A BRIEF QUESTION OR A COMPLAINT ?
Dr. Pincott is happy to answer brief questions of anyone she has previously seen as a patient. She does not offer free phone advice for non patients. If you have a complaint Dr. Pincott wants to hear from you to help as much as possible. You may also call the Association of Naturopathic Physicians of B.C. of which she is a member in good standing.

ARE YOU A MEDICAL DOCTOR AS WELL ?
No. The term N.D. refers to Naturopathic Doctor, not Medical Doctor.

WHAT IS DR. PINCOTT'S EDUCATION BACKGROUND ?
Dr. Pincott graduated from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1985. She received her nursing license from the Royal Jubilee Hospital in 1979, and her pre-med at the University of Victoria. She has been practicing full time in Vancouver since Oct. 1985 and started her practice in Campbell River Jan. 1996.

IS NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE REGULATED IN B.C.?
Yes there is an Association of Naturopathic Physicians of B.C. that is self regulated. Entrance exams must be passed to practice in B.C. and continuing education hours are required on a yearly basis to maintain one's license. This is the disciplinary body so any complaints should be directed to them in addition to speaking to the doctor. Their number in Vancouver is 1-604-688-8236.

ARE NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS MEMBERS OF A UNION ?
Yes there is a union called the British Columbia Naturopathic Association. The membership is voluntary and provides doctors and their patients with educational support. Their number is 1-604- 736-6646. You may contact this office if you want to support our profession, learn of other N.D.'s in your area, if you are interested in studying naturopathy, or if you just want to know more about the profession.

WILL DR. PINCOTT WORK WITH MY OWN GP ?
Yes, naturopathic medicine is complementary to the practice of traditional medicine. It is optimal if you have the best of both worlds. M.D.'s take good care of the horizontally ill and N.D.'s take good care of the vertically ill.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A “NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN” AND A “NATUROPATH”?
A licensed “naturopathic physician” attends a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical school after a minimum of 3 years of a pre med program. After graduating from this accredited school, the candidate must pass rigorous professional board exams to obtain the license to practice in his or her state or province.

A “naturopathic physician” is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an M.D. but also studies natural therapeutics with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic physician is required to complete four years of training in natural therapeutics: clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling. A licensed N.D. belongs to a regulatory body that oversees standards of practice, complaints and discipline. Naturopathic physicians must carry malpractice insurance, maintain continuing education and practice ethically and professionally.

The term “naturopath” has been around for over 100 years and the words “naturopathic physician” and “naturopath” have frequently been used interchangeably. It is a term often used by the general public and the medical profession to inaccurately refer to what more accurately is a naturopathic physician. The term “naturopath” has been applied to non-medically trained natural health providers from correspondence/long distance education programs, short term naturopathy schools, and grandfathered in practitioners of varied backgrounds. Typically, “naturopaths” practice in unlicensed, unregulated jurisdictions and do not have the same training or privileges as those of a “naturopathic physician”. The public has generally not been aware of the differences between the two groups, even though large differences exist. In Canada, only “naturopathic physicians” are licensed, regulated and able to practice legally in the provinces that acknowledge naturopathic medicine.