Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 163–4
To conduct an assessment of research literacy and capacity needs among naturopaths, registered massage therapists and chiropractors in Canada.
A 23-question interview schedule was piloted and subsequently guided interviews with 34 representatives from clinical practice, educational colleges and national associations for the three specific disciplines.
Obtaining the target numbers of interviewees proved to be a challenge. It appeared those most interested in and/or active in research were willing to participate in the interviews, making the results non-generalisable to the entire population of naturopaths, massage therapies and chiropractors in Canada. Areas probed include: current level and perceived adequacy of research training; current level of perceived research literacy and capacity in practice; perceived research needs; perceived willingness and opportunities to build bridges and share curricula and information resources. Although there was some variation in the themes identified during the interviews of each of the three disciplines, there were more similarities than differences. Differences that did exist were a reflection of several variables, including stages of maturation of each of the disciplines, levels of complexity within each of the disciplines, length of educational programmes and the levels of prerequisite qualifications.
Recommendations are suggestive of a multifactorial approach rather than single, short intervention.
