Skills, attitudes and uptake of evidence-based practice: a cross-sectional study of chiropractors in the Swedish Chiropractic Association

Chiropractic attitude and utilisation of evidence-based practice in South Africa: a secondary analysis

BACKGROUND

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a model utilised by the majority of healthcare professionals and is a clinical framework that assists with decision-making related to patient care, to improve outcomes and patient satisfaction. The study aimed to analyse the attitudes, skills, and utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) among South African chiropractors, focusing on perceived skill levels, training, use and identifying facilitators and barriers to EBP application.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative secondary analysis was conducted by inviting registered chiropractors in South Africa (n = 920) to participate in an anonymous online questionnaire using the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude and Utilisation Survey (EBASE).

RESULTS

A total of 132 chiropractors completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 14.4%. Of the respondents, 59.9% were female, 52.3% were between 26 and 35 years old, and 63.3% had graduated from the University of Johannesburg. A third of respondents stated they have poor clinical research skills. Over half of the respondents (56.8%) indicated that EBP constituted a significant part of their education except for completing systematic reviews or meta-analyses. Published clinical evidence was ranked 6th as a source of information for clinical decisions. The obstacles indicated were time constraints and a lack of clinical research in complementary and alternative medicine. Access to the internet, databases and research tools were facilitators that were deemed to be "very useful" in promoting EBP.

CONCLUSION

The majority of South African chiropractors are generally favourable towards EBP, and this practice therefore appears to be utilised and embraced, with the requisite skills.

Evidence implementation in Australian manual therapy practice: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Few studies have explored the determinants of evidence implementation in complementary manual therapy professions. Exploring the factors that impede or enable evidence implementation in complementary manual therapy professions is critical to determining the most appropriate strategies to optimise this practice, and enhance the quality of care.

METHODS

The study used a cross-sectional study design to examine Australian complementary medicine manual therapists' attitudes, skills, training, use, barriers and enablers to evidence implementation. Eligible therapists were invited to self-administer the 84-item Evidence-Based practice Attitude and utilization Survey online.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 294 manual therapists (77% female; 65% aged ≥50 years). Participants were mostly supportive of, and reported a moderate to moderate-high level of skill in evidence implementation. However, the level of engagement in evidence implementation was low. The leading barriers to evidence implementation were lack of time, and lack of clinical evidence. While few participants reported skill-level as a barrier, most indicated a desire to develop the skills necessary to improve their engagement in evidence implementation. Participants also supported a range of other enabling strategies to foster evidence implementation in their practice, with most of these strategies targeting access to evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Although participants reported few barriers to evidence implementation, there was a low level of engagement in this activity. The barriers to evidence implementation therefore warrant further exploration. This ongoing work will help better understand how to optimise evidence implementation in complementary manual therapy practice, and help drive improvements in patient care.

Clinical indicators for recommending continued care to patients with neck pain in chiropractic practice: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Chiropractors' clinical indicators for recommending preventive continued care to patients with low back pain include previous pain episodes, a history of long pain duration and improvement after initial treatment. Our objectives were, in a cohort of patients with neck pain, to examine whether these clinical indicators were associated with being recommended continued care beyond 4 weeks, and if so whether this recommendation was dependent of chiropractor characteristics, as well as if the number of clinical indicators influenced this recommendation.

METHODS

In this multi-center observational study, 172 patients seeking care for a new episode of neck pain in chiropractic practice in Norway were included between September 2015 and May 2016. The chiropractors treated their patients as per usual, and for this study, baseline data and 4-week follow-up data were used. Patient data included the clinical indicators (1) previous episodes of neck pain, (2) a history of long duration neck pain and (3) improvement four weeks after initial treatment. The recruiting chiropractors were asked at 4-week follow-up if each patient was recommended continued care, defined as care planned beyond the first 4 weeks. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models investigated the association between clinical indicators and the continued care recommendation, as well as the influence of chiropractor characteristics on this recommendation. Cross tabulations investigated the relationship between the number of indicators present and recommendation of continued care.

RESULTS

Long duration of neck pain was the strongest clinical indicator for being recommended continued care 4 weeks after the initial treatment. Chiropractor characteristics were not associated with this recommendation. In patients with all three clinical indicators present, 39% were recommended continued care. When two and one indicators were present, the percentages of those recommended continued care were 25% and 10%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Chiropractors recommended continued care for patients experiencing neck pain based on their history of long pain duration, and this was not influenced by characteristics of the chiropractor. This differs from previous studies of indicators for maintenance care in patients with low back pain.

Evidence-based maintenance care among chiropractors in Norway: a cross-sectional survey in the Nordic maintenance care program

BACKGROUND

Chiropractors use a treatment strategy called maintenance care with the intent of secondary and tertiary prevention. The Nordic Maintenance Care Program provides evidence of when and for whom maintenance care should be offered. Dissemination has occurred through articles, workshops, social media, conference in Europe and internationally. However, little is known about chiropractors' awareness and use of this evidence. This study explores chiropractors' attitudes, skills, and use of evidence on maintenance care, as well as study their association with general evidence-based practice and demographic characteristics. Moreover, barriers and facilitators of evidence access are also examined.

METHODS

Questions pertaining our research aim were included in the anonymous and digital Evidence-Based practice Attitude and utilization SurvEy, which was distributed to all members (n = 770) of the Norwegian chiropractic association in the fall of 2021.

RESULTS

The response rate was 41% (n = 312). Regarding attitudes towards evidence-based maintenance care, 26% agreed they needed tools to recommend this care to patients. Approximately half (57%) believed they had skills to identify suitable patients, and 45% had used published information in the past month. Strong alignment was observed between Norwegian chiropractors' attitudes, skills, and utilization of evidence-based maintenance care and general evidence-based practice. Maintenance care skills were significantly associated with age (those between 40 and 59 years being less likely to report having high skills), clinical setting (those working with conventional health care providers being less likely to report having high skills) and country of education (those educated in the US and Australia being more likely to report having high skills). Moreover, maintenance care use was significantly associated with country of education (those educated in Australia were less likely to have used published information regarding patient selection for maintenance care). Access to resources was a barrier, whereas knowledge of patient suitability facilitated evidence-based maintenance care.

CONCLUSIONS

Norwegian chiropractors had neutral attitudes towards maintenance care, but generally reported moderate skills. Most had not used evidence about maintenance care in the previous month. Access to useful resources about the evidence regarding maintenance care was a barrier, and knowledge of who responds to maintenance care was a facilitator.

Feasibility of a new clinical journal club implementation and its association with knowledge, attitudes, and application of evidence-based practice among chiropractic students and trainees: a before-and-after healthcare education improvement study

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patients' values and preferences. Little is known about knowledge, attitudes, and application of EBP among chiropractic students and trainees. Our aims were to (1) examine the feasibility of implementing a new journal club format within a Swiss university chiropractic healthcare education setting, and (2) assess the associations between the new journal club implementation and EBP characteristics among chiropractic students.

METHODS

A before-and-after study was conducted through a newly implemented journal club with 5th and 6th year chiropractic students and postgraduate trainees between 1 and 2021 and 31 July 2021. The journal club was developed based on the "community of practice" and "team-based learning" conceptual frameworks. EBP knowledge, attitudes, personal application, and future use, were assessed with a validated questionnaire. We summarised participant characteristics using descriptive statistics, estimated before-and-after EBP total and subscale scores (i.e., knowledge, attitudes, personal application, and future use), and conducted an exploratory subgroup analysis based on journal club attendance (Group A: 3-5 sessions attended; Group B: ≤ 2 sessions attended).

RESULTS

Among 32 eligible students and trainees, 29 participants (mean age 26 years; 79% women) were enrolled: 25 (78%) responded to the pre- and 29 (91%) to the post-assessment surveys. Most (80%) were chiropractic students and 20% were postgraduate trainees. Group A consisted of 12 (41%) and Group B of 17 (59%) participants, respectively. We found reasonable feasibility for the new journal club format and our findings were compatible with no difference in before-and-after EBP scores (median EBP total score before: 72.6 [IQR, 63.7-77.4], and after: 73.4 [IQR, 61.3-78.2]). Exploratory subgroup analyses based on journal club attendance were consistent with our overall findings.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that the newly implemented journal club and embedding chiropractic educational research within the journal club were feasible and acceptable. Small before-and-after differences in the EBP subscale scores for knowledge, attitudes, personal application, and future use were observed in chiropractic students and postgraduate trainees. The small study size and short timeframe during a single semester limit potential inferences.

Patient-shared knowledge and information in clinical decision-making: an international survey of the perspectives and experiences of naturopathic practitioners

INTRODUCTION

Most knowledge translation models pay relatively little attention to patient-held knowledge and are largely based on the premise that researchers and clinicians hold all valuable knowledge, and patients are passive recipients of such knowledge. Counter to this clinician- and researcher-centred lens is a growing interest and awareness of patients as experts in their health. While naturopathic medicine is described and experienced as a patient-centred system of traditional medicine, the position of patient-held knowledge is unclear particularly when considered alongside their use of other more objective forms of knowledge such as research evidence.

METHODS

This international online cross-sectional survey aimed to explore naturopathic practitioners' perceptions of the value and contribution of patient-shared knowledge and information within the context of naturopathic clinical consultations.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 453 naturopathic practitioners (response rate: 74.3%). Approximately two-thirds (68.2%) of respondents reported using information shared by the patient. Most rated 'information provided by the patient' as either 'extremely important' (60.7%) or 'very important' (31.4%) to patients. Highest levels of trust were reported for information provided by the patient ('completely': 9.9%; 'a lot': 53.6%). Most practitioners indicated they trusted knowledge and information derived from the patient's personal health history 'completely' (n = 79; 21.8%) or 'a lot' (n = 226; 62.4%) from the patient's perspective of living with a health condition ('completely' [n = 63, 17.4%]; 'a lot' [n = 224, 61.9%]). Patients were the highest ranked stakeholder group (mean: 1.5) perceived to influence NP use of patient experience of living with a health condition to inform clinical decision-making.

CONCLUSION

Researchers and policy makers are increasingly focused on the value of the 'expert patient' in clinical decision-making, yet health professionals' report challenges and, in some cases, resistance to meaningfully engaging with patient-shared knowledge in practice. However, our study has found patient-shared knowledge - inclusive of patient experience of their health condition - is among the knowledge used and trusted by naturopathic practitioners to inform their clinical decision-making. This study both offers insights into the knowledge translation behaviours of an under-researched health profession and provides a novel contribution to the wider aim of adopting patient-shared knowledge into clinical care more generally.

Evidence implementation in naturopathy: A cross-sectional study of Australian naturopaths

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Evidence implementation refers to the application of appropriate enabling strategies to improve clinician engagement with the best available evidence. To date, little attention has been paid to evidence implementation in disciplines such as naturopathy. This study addresses this knowledge gap by examining the determinants of evidence implementation in Australian naturopathic practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was open to all Australian naturopaths who had internet access and were fluent in the English language. Participants were invited to complete the 84-item Evidence-Based practice Attitude and utilization Survey (EBASE) online between March and July 2020.

RESULTS

The survey was completed in full by 174 naturopaths (87.4% female; 31.6% aged 40-59 years). While participant attitudes were predominantly favourable of evidence implementation, engagement in evidence implementation activities was reported at a low to moderate level. Factors impacting participant engagement in such activities included a lack of clinical evidence in naturopathy, lack of time, and a moderate to moderately-high level of self-reported skill in evidence implementation. Enablers of evidence implementation were access to the internet, free online databases, full-text journal articles, and online education materials.

CONCLUSION

This study has provided valuable insights into the level of, and factors impacting evidence implementation among Australian naturopaths. Attitude did not pose a major barrier to evidence implementation; rather, the barriers were largely structural and cognitive. This suggests that the obstacles to evidence implementation in naturopathy are most likely surmountable with the right means and concerted effort.

Investigating attitudes, skills, and use of evidence-based practice among Norwegian chiropractors; a national cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential in improving the quality of healthcare and of importance for all health care personnel. No study in Norway has investigated attitudes, skills and use related to EBP among chiropractors. The aim of this study was to describe Norwegian chiropractors' attitudes, skills, and use of EBP, as well as the barriers and facilitators to their use of EBP.

METHODS

A national cross-sectional survey, the online version of the Evidence Based practice Attitudes & Utilisation SurvEy (EBASE), was sent by email to 770 Norwegian practicing chiropractors, all members of the Norwegian Chiropractic Association. Three EBASE sub-scores were generated (Attitudes, Skills and Use), and the demographic characteristics of the sample were reported. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between responses of the three sub-scores and demographic characteristics. Information on main barriers and facilitators of EBP was collected and described.

RESULTS

A total of 312 (41%) chiropractors responded to the survey, and 95% agreed that EBP is necessary for chiropractic practice. While overall use of EBP activities was low participants were interested in learning and improving their skills to incorporate EBP into practice. Chiropractors' attitudes, skills, and use of EBP were positively associated with being female and having spent more than one hour per week on research, but negatively associated with having practiced more than 10 years. Main barriers of EBP were lack of skills to critically evaluate, interpret, and apply research findings to practice. Main facilitators of EBP included access to the internet and free online databases in the workplace.

CONCLUSION

Although chiropractors in Norway reported positive attitudes and moderate skills in EBP, their use of EBP activities was limited. The main barriers and facilitators to EBP were primarily related to perceived skills deficits, whilst enablers of EBP were mostly related to infrastructure requirements.

Attitudes, skills and implementation of evidence-based practice: a national cross-sectional survey of licensed naprapaths in Sweden

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is fundamental to the delivery of high-quality, safe and effective health care. Naprapaths, manual therapy providers that specialize in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction, became a Swedish licensed health profession in 1994. This study investigated the attitudes, skills and implementation of EBP among licensed naprapaths in Sweden.

METHODS

Licensed naprapaths (n = 950) of Svenska Naprapatförbundet (the Swedish Naprapathy Association) were invited by email to take part in this cross-sectional anonymous online study using the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude and Utilisation Survey in February 2019.

RESULTS

Fourteen percent (137/950) of invited naprapaths completed the survey. There was an approximately equal gender divide among responders; most were in the mid-career age range, practiced in city areas, and had a university or college certificate/diploma as their highest qualification. The majority of naprapaths agreed or strongly agreed that EBP was necessary in the practice of naprapathy, assisted them in making care decisions, and improved the quality of patient care. Naprapaths' self-reported skills in EBP were mostly in the moderate to moderate-high range. The majority of participating naprapaths reported infrequent implementation of EBP. Perceived minor or moderate barriers to EBP uptake included a lack of colleague support for EBP and a lack of relevant resources. Access to the internet and free online databases were reported as very useful enablers to improving EBP uptake.

CONCLUSIONS

The licensed naprapaths participating in this survey reported positive attitudes toward EBP, moderate levels of EBP skills, and infrequent implementation of EBP.

Self-reported attitudes, skills and use of evidence-based practice among Swiss chiropractors: a national survey

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The high burden of disease associated with musculoskeletal disorders severely impacts patients' well-being. As primary care providers, Swiss chiropractors ought to contribute towards identifying and using effective treatment strategies. An established approach is the full integration of evidence-based practice (EBP). This study aimed to investigate the attitudes, skills and use of EBP among Swiss chiropractors, as well as investigating potential facilitators and barriers for its adoption.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

All 329 members of the Swiss Association of Chiropractic (ChiroSuisse) were invited in March 2021 to participate in this cross-sectional survey. Data were acquired anonymously online, using the Evidence-Based practice Attitude and utilization SurvEy (EBASE). The survey encompassed 55 questions measuring attitudes (n = 8, response range 1-5; total score range of 8-40), skills (n = 13, response range 1-5; total score range of range of 13-65) and use of EBP (n = 6, response range 0-4; total score range of 0-24).

RESULTS

228 (69.3%) chiropractors returned complete EBASE questionnaires. This sample was representative of all ChiroSuisse members with respect to gender, age groups and proportion of chiropractic residents. Respondents generally held positive attitudes towards EBP, as indicated by the high mean (31.2) and median (31) attitude sub-score (range 11-40). Self-reported skills had a mean sub-score of 40.2 and median of 40 (range 13-65). Knowledge about EBP-based clinical practice had been primarily obtained in chiropractic under- or postgraduate education (33.8% and 26.3%, respectively). Use of EBP achieved a lower sub-score, with mean and median values of 7.4 and 6, respectively (range 0-24). The most commonly identified barriers preventing EBP uptake were lack of time (67.9%) and lack of clinical evidence in chiropractic/manual therapy-related health fields (45.1%).

CONCLUSION

Swiss chiropractors held favourable attitudes and reported moderate to moderate-high skill levels in EBP. Nevertheless, similar to chiropractors in other countries, the self-reported use of EBP was relatively low, with lack of time and lack of clinical evidence being the most named barriers.

Physical activity promotion in chiropractic: a systematic review of clinician-based surveys

BACKGROUND

Physical inactivity is a global health pandemic. Allied healthcare providers, including chiropractors, are well placed to integrate individual physical activity (PA) promotion into routine care. A previous systematic review identified that approximately 90% of chiropractors held a positive opinion towards healthier patient lifestyles; however, the extent to which chiropractors promote PA to their patients within routine care is unclear. This systematic review aimed to describe chiropractors' attitudes towards and current practice in advising, counselling, discussing, supporting, or recommending PA to patients.

METHODS

Five databases were searched from inception to December 2021 for cross-sectional surveys that explored PA promotion by chiropractors in practice. We assessed the risk of bias of the included studies with the 'Risk of Bias in Cross-Sectional Surveys of Attitudes and Practices' tool. Descriptive data were extracted, grouping similar survey questions and responses into emerging categories. Chiropractors' views regarding the perceived importance and/or their preparedness to counsel and provide PA or exercise information are reported.

RESULTS

From 661 studies, 15 met the selection criteria. Surveys included 7999 chiropractors primarily from the USA, UK, Australia, and Sweden. All studies were rated as moderate-to-high risk of bias, with methodological weaknesses characterised by inconsistent reporting of missing data, non-representative samples, low response rates (i.e., less than 60%), and unknown validity of survey instruments. Chiropractors frequently recognised the importance of PA promotion, as demonstrated by the proportion of respondents reporting that they: (1) support the importance of providing PA or exercise information and counselling (64% to 100%); (2) are prepared to provide PA or exercise information and/or counselling to patients (91% to 92%,); (3) frequently obtain PA or exercise information from patients (87% to 97%,); 4) frequently discuss PA or exercise and/or provide PA or exercise information to patients (68% to 99%); and 5) frequently provide PA counselling to patients (50% to 81%.).

CONCLUSION

A large majority of practising chiropractors actively engage with PA promotion. However, the results should be interpreted with caution owing to the moderate-to-high risk of bias of the included studies. Forthcoming research initiatives should explore unbiased surveys, further PA education and training as well as capitalising on chiropractors' own PA participation.

Canadian Naturopathic Doctor Engagement, Preparedness, and Perceptions of Evidence-Based Practice: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Despite the reported benefits of evidence-based practice (EBP), there are concerns that some practitioners, including naturopathic doctors (NDs), may be cautious about its use. The objective of this study was to explore Canadian ND perceptions, preparedness, and engagement in EBP, and the barriers and enablers to EBP uptake. Methods: The study was a national cross-sectional survey. NDs practicing in Canada were invited to complete the validated 84-item Evidence-Based Practice Attitudes and Utilization Survey between February and May 2020. Results: A total of 252 Canadian NDs were recruited. Participant attitudes toward EBP were predominantly positive, with three-quarters of participants indicating that >50% of their practice was informed by clinical research evidence. One-half of participants self-reported a medium-high to high level of skill across most EBP-related activities. Notable barriers to EBP uptake were lack of clinical evidence in naturopathy, and lack of time. Access to the internet and online databases were identified as useful enablers to improving EBP engagement. Conclusions: By shedding light on Canadian ND engagement with, preparedness for, and perceptions of EBP, the findings will help guide the development of strategies to support EBP uptake in NDs with the expectation of improving quality of care.

Examining the influences on the use of behavioural science within UK local authority public health: Qualitative thematic analysis and deductive mapping to the COM-B model and Theoretical Domains Framework

Background

Behavioural science and its contribution towards improving public health is receiving increased recognition. Yet, the translation of these insights into public health practice is under-researched. This study explored the factors influencing the use of behavioural science within public health at a local authority level.

Methods

Fourteen local authority staff (n = 13 female) in the south of England participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analysed inductively to identify key themes. These were later mapped deductively to the COM-B model and Theoretical Domains Framework.

Findings

Nine themes were identified as factors that influence the use of behavioural science in local authority public health: (1) "Limited past experience," (2) "Narrow understanding," (3) "Perceived value of behavioural science," (4) "Translational gap from theory-to-practice," (5) "No protected time," (6) "Old ways of working," (7) "Political influence and organisational culture," (8) "Relationships with key stakeholders," (9) "Access to behavioural science resources". Deductive mapping of these themes revealed that five of the COM constructs (excluding Physical Capability) and eleven of the TDF domains influenced behavioural science use, with "Social influences" and "Knowledge" being the most prominent.

Discussion

Use of behavioural science within local authority public health practice is limited and inconsistent. For it to be successfully implemented, there must be an understanding of its role and value, alongside strategies to overcome a translational gap from theory to practice. Public health teams would benefit from protected time to enable application and strategies to break old habits of using a common-sense approach. System-wide buy-in, particularly related to senior leadership and system partners is needed, which would benefit from organisational and political culture change. Training opportunities, practical resources and expert in-house support should be considered a priority across public health teams.

Evidence implementation among complementary medicine practitioners: a meta-summary

OBJECTIVES

To explore the factors impacting evidence implementation in complementary medicine (CM) practice.

CONTENT

MEDLINE and CINAHL were systematically searched for cross-sectional studies examining evidence implementation among CM practitioners. Qualitative data from eligible studies were collated and analysed using a meta-summary approach. Data were coded according to the five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), and translated into barriers and enablers.

SUMMARY

Qualitative data were available for 614 participants (from 16 disciplines) across 14 studies. Coding identified 34 themes, with most themes aligning with the Inner Setting (11 themes) and Characteristics of the Intervention (10 themes) domains of the CFIR. The most commonly referenced barriers to evidence implementation were: 'Lack of supportive resources' (Effect size [ES]=33.3%), 'Research misalignment with profession and practice' (ES=14.5%) and 'Lack of access to knowledge and information' (ES=10.5%). The most common enablers were: 'Recognition of a need for change' (ES=8.2%) and 'Perceived adaptability of EBP to the profession' (ES=7.8%).

OUTLOOK

This research offers new insights into the challenges and opportunities to implementing evidence-based practices in the field of CM. The findings underline the complexity of the phenomenon, and the need for a nuanced, multi-faceted and multi-stakeholder approach to improving evidence implementation in CM.

Implementation science in New Zealand naturopathic practice: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Understanding and addressing the barriers to evidence-based practice (EBP) falls within the realm of implementation science. To date, disciplines such as naturopathy have paid little attention to implementation science, meaning the obstacles to delivering best practice care have largely been ignored. This study addresses this knowledge gap by examining the determinants of evidence implementation in New Zealand naturopathic practice.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was open to all New Zealand naturopaths who had Internet access, and were fluent in the English language. Participants were invited to complete the 84-item Evidence-Based practice Attitude and utilization Survey (EBASE) online between February and July 2020.

RESULTS

The survey was completed in full by 104 naturopaths (86% female; 55% aged 40-59 years). While attitudes toward EBP were generally favourable, engagement in EBP activities was reported at a moderate-low level. Factors potentially contributing to the modest uptake of EBP were the moderate level of self-reported EBP-related skill, lack of clinical evidence in naturopathy and lack of time. Enablers of EBP uptake that were supported by the majority of participants were access to the Internet, online databases, EBP education materials, and full-text journal articles.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has provided much-needed insight into the level of EBP engagement among New Zealand naturopaths, as well as the various factors impacting evidence implementation. Attitude did not pose a major barrier to evidence implementation; rather, the barriers were largely structural, cognitive and cultural. This suggests that the barriers to EBP uptake in naturopathy are not unsurmountable.

A national cross-sectional survey of the attitudes, skills and use of evidence-based practice amongst Spanish osteopaths

Background

Although evidence-based practice (EBP) is largely supported across healthcare professions, its implementation in manual therapy professions such as osteopathy remains limited and debated. There is currently little knowledge of how Spanish osteopaths relate to EBP.

Objectives

The main aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes, skills and use of EBP among Spanish osteopaths. A secondary aim was to identify barriers and facilitators for the adoption of EBP in the Spanish osteopathic context.

Methods

National cross-sectional survey of Spanish osteopaths registered and non-registered to an osteopathic association in Spain. Eligible participants were invited by a range of recruitment strategies including email and social media campaigns to complete the Spanish-translated Evidence-Based practice Attitude and utilization Survey (EBASE) anonymously online.

Results

A total of 567 osteopaths completed the survey which represents an approximate response rate of 9%. Participant’s attitudes toward EBP were largely positive. Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed that EBP was necessary in the practice of osteopathy (89.6%) and that professional literature and research findings were useful to their day-to-day practice (88.9%). Levels of perceived skill in EBP were reported as low to moderate with lowest levels for items related to ‘research conduct’. Except reading/reviewing professional literature and using online search engines to find practice-related literature, participant engagement in all other EBP-related activities was generally infrequent. The perceived proportion of clinical practice that was based on clinical research evidence was reported to be very small. Main barriers to EBP uptake included a lack of clinical evidence in osteopathy and insufficient skills for applying research findings. Main facilitators of EBP uptake included access to full-text articles, internet at the workplace and online databases.

Conclusions

Spanish osteopaths were largely supportive of evidence-based practice, had low to moderate skills in EBP and engaged in EBP activities infrequently. Formal regulation of the profession in Spain and the inclusion of osteopathic programs into the university sector would potentially improve EBP skills and use.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-06128-6.