Matthew J Leach1,2, Per J Palmgren3, Oliver P Thomson4, Gary Fryer5, Andreas Eklund6, Stina Lilje6,7, Jon Adams2, Eva Skillgate6,7, Tobias Sundberg8,9,10. 1. National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, East Lismore, NSW, Australia. 2. Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 4. Research Centre, University College of Osteopathy, London, UK. 5. College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 6. Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 7. Musculoskeletal and Sports Injury Epidemiology Center, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden. 8. Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Tobias.Sundberg@shh.se. 9. Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Tobias.Sundberg@shh.se. 10. Musculoskeletal and Sports Injury Epidemiology Center, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden. Tobias.Sundberg@shh.se.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is integral to the delivery of high-quality health care. Chiropractic has been a licensed health profession in Sweden since 1989, but little is known of the uptake of EBP in this professional group. This study explored the self-reported skills, attitudes and uptake of EBP, and the enablers and barriers of EBP uptake, among licensed chiropractors in Sweden. METHODS: Licensed chiropractors (n = 172) of the Swedish Chiropractic Association (Legitimerade Kiropraktorers Riksorganisation) were invited to participate in an anonymous online questionnaire, using the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude and Utilisation Survey (EBASE) in February 2019. RESULTS: Fifty-six (33%) chiropractors completed the survey. Participants were predominantly male, aged 30-49 years, held a Master's degree, and had received their highest qualification and practiced chiropractic for over a decade. Chiropractors rated their EBP skill-level mostly in the moderate to moderate-high range. The majority of chiropractors reported positive attitudes towards EBP, with most agreeing or strongly agreeing that EBP is necessary in the practice of chiropractic, and that EBP assists in making decisions about patient care. Chiropractors reported an average level of engagement in EBP activities. All participants indicated professional literature and research findings were useful in their day-to-day chiropractic practice. The main perceived enabler of EBP uptake was internet access in the workplace, whereas the main barrier to EBP uptake was lack of clinical evidence in chiropractic. CONCLUSIONS: Participating chiropractors of the Swedish Chiropractic Association were generally favourable of EBP, though only reported modest levels of EBP-related skills and engagement in EBP activities. Our findings suggest future studies investigating interventions focussed on improving chiropractors' skills and uptake of EBP are warranted.
BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is integral to the delivery of high-quality health care. Chiropractic has been a licensed health profession in Sweden since 1989, but little is known of the uptake of EBP in this professional group. This study explored the self-reported skills, attitudes and uptake of EBP, and the enablers and barriers of EBP uptake, among licensed chiropractors in Sweden. METHODS: Licensed chiropractors (n = 172) of the Swedish Chiropractic Association (Legitimerade Kiropraktorers Riksorganisation) were invited to participate in an anonymous online questionnaire, using the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude and Utilisation Survey (EBASE) in February 2019. RESULTS: Fifty-six (33%) chiropractors completed the survey. Participants were predominantly male, aged 30-49 years, held a Master's degree, and had received their highest qualification and practiced chiropractic for over a decade. Chiropractors rated their EBP skill-level mostly in the moderate to moderate-high range. The majority of chiropractors reported positive attitudes towards EBP, with most agreeing or strongly agreeing that EBP is necessary in the practice of chiropractic, and that EBP assists in making decisions about patient care. Chiropractors reported an average level of engagement in EBP activities. All participants indicated professional literature and research findings were useful in their day-to-day chiropractic practice. The main perceived enabler of EBP uptake was internet access in the workplace, whereas the main barrier to EBP uptake was lack of clinical evidence in chiropractic. CONCLUSIONS: Participating chiropractors of the Swedish Chiropractic Association were generally favourable of EBP, though only reported modest levels of EBP-related skills and engagement in EBP activities. Our findings suggest future studies investigating interventions focussed on improving chiropractors' skills and uptake of EBP are warranted.
Entities:
Keywords:
Chiropractic; Cross-sectional studies; Evidence-based practice; Health care surveys
Authors: Matthew J Leach; Tobias Sundberg; Gary Fryer; Philip Austin; Oliver P Thomson; Jon Adams Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2019-07-17 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Gerard Alvarez; Cristian Justribo; Tobias Sundberg; Oliver P Thomson; Matthew J Leach Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2021-02-10 Impact factor: 2.655