I agree with that wholeheartedy! I question everybody, actually. I feel I'M responsible for my healthcare, and to ensure it is appropriate and safe. It doesn't matter what initials or credentials are after their name.
If any practitioner (M.D. or N.D. or otherwise) recommends a treatment, I research it thoroughly before I do it. I appreciate and respect their expertise, but I also think people have conflicting priorities, or most likely a harmful thing is recommended because it is impossible for practitioners to be completely read up on the latest research on all topics. If I find questions about what they recommend, I print out the research and bring it to my next appointment to help me in asking questions. Or if it is anecdotal evidence, I bring that, too. Toward this end, I am IN LOVE with the "AskaPatient" website that Robin posted in another thread.
For example on a health issue I'm watching to keep my body safe... one of my docs recommended a supplement, and that supplement checks out okay. But there are some very recent studies that link a common componant of supplements and food packaging to genetic damage and cancer. (Yikes) So I set out to find a brand without it for all my supplements. I'm only going to buy if the manufacturer will guarentee it's not in their supplements. Manufacturer's haven't even answered my email inquiries, which leads me to believe either they do include it in their supplements, or else they don't know if they do. The research is so recent that they are either scrambling to get it out of their formulations, are avoiding admitting that it's in there, or they are actively doing research to find out if their vendors have it in the ingredients they supply to them. I'll let you all know when I get some answers.
***Edit: Don't panic, everybody. Not to go all academic on you or anything (I can see your eyes glazing over now).
The additive linked to genetic mutation and cancer is Nano-particles of titanium dioxide. It's used in cosmetics, food, and supplements. Fine in regular molecules, not safe in nano particles, which due to their nano form are super-tiny and can affect body cell structure and also cross the blood-brain barrier, the lungs, and placenta barrier in mice and humans.
Nano particles in general are a hot topic right now, with concerns around genetic mutation and cancer as well as other toxicity. Nanos are exploding in their use in products we use and eat every day. The biggest wild card in this is because of the way an element's properties and behavior changes in nano form. Once opaque substances can turn transparent, once safe ingredients can go toxic. Even if you want it to go somewhere in the body, it may behave differently than the regular sized particles when it gets there. And once genetic damage is done, it might never be reversed and boom, years later cancer.
Because substances' basic properties change when converted to nano form, until there is more research into which are safe and which aren't, I'm sure going to stay away from the stuff. If you find cosmetics or vitamins that say they don't contain this stuff, will you pass it along to me? I don't know how we'd know if it does or not, even if we write in and ask. Current laws don't require disclosure of its use. *** Edit over.
Something I love about the medical licensing sites is you can not only check up on a license, you can see if there was disciplinary action. In most states you can also call the department of health and see how many times they have been complained about or sued, and for what. You better bet I did that before I had surgery! Spme states you can look up any licensed practitioner, including N.D.s, massage therapists, accupuncturists, etc.
I've only got one body and it's a sensitive/reactive one at that, so I'm careful what I put in it or who takes a knife to it!