Evidence-based practice in chiropractic practice: A survey of chiropractors’ knowledge, skills, use of research literature and barriers to the use of research evidence

Walker, Bruce F.; Stomski, Norman J.; Hébert, Jeffrey J.; French, Simon

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.02.007

Cited by 21 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Importantly, however, this finding supports evidence in the literature suggesting that health professionals often lack the confidence to search for and appraise health information [47][48][49]. This knowledge is important as it highlights the need to teach students studying to become health professionals the research skills required to locate and critically appraise the evidence, in order to become future evidence-based practitioners [50].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Health Literacy amongst Health Professional University Students: A Study Using the Health Literacy Questionnaire

et al. 2017

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Abstract:Background: This study aimed to assess and compare health literacy levels in a range of university-based health students. Methods: A survey containing the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) was administered to students enrolled in university-based medical, allied health or nursing degree programs. The HLQ scores and scale scores were compared across student groups. Results: In total, 374 students (24% response rate) with a median age of 25 years (range: 17-61 years), returned completed surveys. Three students who did not identify their degree programs were excluded from the final analysis which included 371 respondents; 242 graduate-entry medical students (65%), 67 allied health students (18%) and 62 nursing students (17%). Overall, the medical students had the highest score for seven of the nine HLQ scales; while the nursing students had the lowest score for all of the nine HLQ scales. Conclusion: These results show that health literacy profiles are different across student groups. In order to provide excellent patient-centred care, and to successfully look after their own health, a high level of health literacy is required by future health professionals. Health literacy training modules, tailored according to the different needs of the student groups, should therefore be included in university-based health professional degree programs.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Health Literacy amongst Health Professional University Students: A Study Using the Health Literacy Questionnaire

et al. 2017

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“…The need for strengthening chiropractic research in Australia has been noted previously [23], and several steps have been proposed to generate and encourage chiropractic research capacity in Australia in the face of much needed improvement in research output and activity from within Australian chiropractic university departments [24]. Such a proposal is supported by findings that chiropractors do educate themselves using research literature [25], but often feel inadequately trained to conduct clinical research [26, 27]. Perhaps given the lack of PhDs amongst Australian chiropractors as identified in our study a beneficial approach for research capacity building may be to draw upon academics/methodologists beyond chiropractic to at least help lead or co-supervise PhD research [28] — in areas such public health, health services research and clinical research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A workforce survey of Australian chiropractic: the profile and practice features of a nationally representative sample of 2,005 chiropractors

Adams

Lauche

Peng

et al. 2017

BMC Complement Altern Med

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BackgroundThis paper reports the profile of the Australian chiropractic workforce and characteristics of chiropractic care from a large nationally-representative sample of practitioners.MethodsA 21-item questionnaire examining practitioner, practice and clinical management characteristics was distributed to all registered chiropractors (n = 4,684) in Australia in 2015 via both online and hard copy mail out.ResultsThe survey attracted a response rate of 43% (n = 2,005), and the sample is largely representative of the national chiropractic workforce on a number of key indicators. The average age of the chiropractors was 42.1 years, nearly two-thirds are male, and the vast majority hold a bachelor degree or higher qualification. Australian chiropractors are focused upon treating people across a wide age range who mainly present with musculoskeletal conditions. Australian chiropractors have referral relationships with a range of conventional, allied health and complementary medicine (CAM) providers.ConclusionThe chiropractic profession represents a substantial component of the contemporary Australian health care system with chiropractors managing an estimated 21.3 million patient visits per year. While the Australian chiropractic workforce is well educated, research engagement and research capacity remains sub-optimal and there is much room for further capacity building to help chiropractic reach full potential as a key integrated profession within an evidence-based health care system. Further rich, in-depth research is warranted to improve our understanding of the role of chiropractic within the Australian health care system.

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“…[25][26][27][28] This shift in scope of chiropractic care is occurring alongside increased pressure for more evidence-based healthcare practices in chiropractic. 29 Given the uncertainty about chiropractic care reflected in some of the literature identified above, it is not surprising that questions exist concerning the efficacy of chiropractic services that are framed as primary care in nature. This is not to say treatments are, in any definitive sense, ineffective.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The face of chiropractic: evidence‐based?

Shelley

Clark

Caulfield

2014

Focus on Alt & Comp Therapy

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Background Chiropractors are the most accessed providers of complementary and alternative medicine care in Canada. However, some scepticism exists around the evidentiary base of the chiropractic profession. Objectives To examine the messages utilised by the chiropractic profession around issues of scope and efficacy through website communication with the public. Methods Website content of major Canadian chiropractic associations and colleges (n=11), and commercial clinics (n=80) was submitted to a mixed‐methods analysis. Content was reviewed to quantify specific health conditions described as treatable by chiropractic care. A qualitative textual analysis identified the primary messages related to evidence and efficacy utilised by the websites. Results Website content claimed that chiropractic is capable of addressing a wide range of health issues. Quantitative analysis revealed that association and college websites identified a total of 41 unique conditions treatable by chiropractic, while private clinic websites named 159 distinct conditions. The most commonly cited conditions included back pain, headaches/migraines and neck pain. Qualitative analysis revealed three prominent themes drawn upon in discussions of efficacy and evidence: grounded in science, the conflation of safety and efficacy and “natural” healing. Conclusions The chiropractic profession claims the capacity to treat health conditions that exceed those more traditionally associated with chiropractic. Website content persistently declared that such claims are supported by research and scientific evidence, and at times blurred the lines between safety and efficacy. The chiropractic profession may be struggling to define themselves both within the paradigm of conventional science as well as an alternative paradigm that embraces natural approaches.

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Evidence-based practice in chiropractic practice: A survey of chiropractors’ knowledge, skills, use of research literature and barriers to the use of research evidence

Cited by 21 publications

References 39 publications

Health Literacy amongst Health Professional University Students: A Study Using the Health Literacy Questionnaire

Health Literacy amongst Health Professional University Students: A Study Using the Health Literacy Questionnaire

A workforce survey of Australian chiropractic: the profile and practice features of a nationally representative sample of 2,005 chiropractors

The face of chiropractic: evidence‐based?

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