Evaluation of an evidence-based practice continuing education course for Canadian Naturopathic Doctors.

Aucoin, M; Newton, G; Leach, M; Cooley, K

Evaluation of an evidence-based practice continuing education course for Canadian Naturopathic Doctors.

Aucoin, M Newton, G Leach, M Cooley, K

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Publisher:: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: PLoS One, 2025, 20, (6), pp. e0324452
Issue Date:: 2025

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Aucoin, M
dc.contributor.author	Newton, G
dc.contributor.author	Leach, M
dc.contributor.author	Cooley, K https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7960-6504
dc.contributor.editor	Wilkinson, J
dc.date.accessioned	2026-07-14T03:09:06Z
dc.date.available	2025-04-25
dc.date.available	2026-07-14T03:09:06Z
dc.date.issued	2025
dc.identifier.citation	PLoS One, 2025, 20, (6), pp. e0324452
dc.identifier.issn	1932-6203
dc.identifier.issn	1932-6203
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195646
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.
dc.format	Electronic-eCollection
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Public Library of Science (PLoS)
dc.relation.ispartof	PLoS One
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1371/journal.pone.0324452
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	General Science & Technology
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Canada
dc.subject.mesh	Naturopathy
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Education, Medical, Continuing
dc.subject.mesh	Evidence-Based Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Physicians
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Clinical Competence
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Naturopathy
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Education, Medical, Continuing
dc.subject.mesh	Clinical Competence
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Physicians
dc.subject.mesh	Canada
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Evidence-Based Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Canada
dc.subject.mesh	Naturopathy
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Education, Medical, Continuing
dc.subject.mesh	Evidence-Based Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Physicians
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Clinical Competence
dc.title	Evaluation of an evidence-based practice continuing education course for Canadian Naturopathic Doctors.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	20
utslib.location.activity	United States
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-07-14T03:09:05Z
pubs.issue	6
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	20
utslib.citation.issue	6

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195646