• Leach MJ
• Palmgren PJ
• Thomson OP
• Fryer G
• Eklund A
• Lilje S
• Adams J
• Skillgate E
• Sundberg T

• Affiliation / Karolinska Institutet. Department of Learning, Informatics, Management, and Ethics
• Affiliation / Karolinska Institutet. Institute of Environmental Medicine. Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health
• Affiliation / Sophiahemmet University. Department of Health Promotion Sciences. Musculoskeletal and Sports Injury Epidemiology Center
• Affiliation / Southern Cross University. National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
• Affiliation / University College of Osteopathy. Research Centre
• Affiliation / University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Health. Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM)
• Affiliation / Victoria University. College of Health & Biomedicine
• Affiliation(G) / Australia / New South Wales / East Lismore
• Affiliation(G) / Australia / New South Wales / Sydney
• Affiliation(G) / Australia / Victoria / Melbourne
• Affiliation(G) / England / London
• Affiliation(G) / Sweden / Stockholm
• Chiropractors / Sweden
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Evidence-Based Chiropractic
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Health Care Surveys
• Open Access Document
• Swedish Chiropractic Association

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.

Author keywords: Evidence-based practice — Chiropractic —  Health care surveys —  Cross-sectional studies

Author affiliations: MJL: National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, East Lismore, New South Wales, Australia;
MJL, JA, TS: Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; PJP: Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; OPT: Research Centre, University College of Osteopathy, London, England; GF: College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; AE, SL, ES, TS: Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; SL, ES, TS: Musculoskeletal and Sports Injury Epidemiology Center, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden

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