Aucoin Monique, Newton Genevieve, Leach Matthew, Cooley Kieran
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
University of Guelph.
PLoS One. 2025 Jun 3;20(6):e0324452. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324452. eCollection 2025.
Evidence-based practice (EBP) combines the best available evidence with clinician expertise and patient preference to improve patient outcomes. Recent evidence indicates that Canadian Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are interested in EBP skill development. The primary objective of the present study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a co-designed EBP Continuing Education (CE) course for Canadian NDs. Secondary objectives included assessing changes in EBP skill, use, attitudes, and knowledge.
The CE course was evaluated using a pre-post design involving licensed Canadian NDs. The CE course consisted of five weekly, one-hour sessions that were delivered virtually. On course completion, participants reported on their level of satisfaction and provided suggestions for improvement. EBP skill, attitudes and use were assessed using the validated Evidence-Based Practice Attitudes and Utilization Survey. EBP knowledge was objectively assessed using a quiz. Changes in EBP skill, attitudes, use and knowledge were compared between baseline and the end of the course. Use of evidence was reassessed at a 2-month follow up.
Sixty-one NDs met eligibility criteria. Eighty-nine percent of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the course. There was a significant increase in self-reported skill and objectively measured EBP knowledge, but no substantive change in EBP attitudes or use of evidence over time. Some participants indicated the level of difficulty was too high while others reported that it could have been more difficult. Participants also wanted more opportunities to practice the skills being taught in the course.
Delivery of the co-designed EBP CE course was found to be both feasible and acceptable. Preliminary evidence suggests that participation in the course was associated with improvements in EBP knowledge and skill. Participants provided actionable suggestions to improve the course in future iterations.
循证实践（EBP）将最佳可得证据与临床医生的专业知识及患者偏好相结合，以改善患者治疗效果。近期证据表明，加拿大自然疗法医生（NDs）对循证实践技能发展感兴趣。本研究的主要目的是评估为加拿大自然疗法医生共同设计的循证实践继续教育（CE）课程的可行性和可接受性。次要目的包括评估循证实践技能、应用、态度和知识的变化。
采用前后设计对加拿大持证自然疗法医生参与的CE课程进行评估。CE课程包括五个每周一小时的线上课程。课程结束时，参与者报告他们的满意度并提供改进建议。使用经过验证的循证实践态度与应用调查评估循证实践技能、态度和应用情况。通过测验客观评估循证实践知识。比较基线与课程结束时循证实践技能、态度、应用和知识的变化。在2个月的随访中重新评估证据的应用情况。
61名自然疗法医生符合入选标准。89%的参与者同意或强烈同意他们对课程满意。自我报告的技能和客观测量的循证实践知识有显著增加，但随着时间推移，循证实践态度或证据应用没有实质性变化。一些参与者表示难度过高，而另一些人则表示难度本可以更高。参与者还希望有更多机会练习课程中教授的技能。
发现共同设计的循证实践CE课程的实施是可行且可接受的。初步证据表明，参与该课程与循证实践知识和技能的提高有关。参与者提供了可行的建议，以便在未来的课程迭代中改进课程。
