Differences in perceptions of students of Acupuncture and Chiropractic Programs regarding Knowledge and Use of Research Literacy Skills

Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to identify the predictors of knowledge and use of research literacy skills among students of Acupuncture and Chiropractic Programs. Specifically, we wanted to know if age, gener, program they were enrolled in, etc. influenced their perceptions.

Sampling: A convenience sample of all students enrolled in both chiropractic and acupuncture programs, but have passed the research methods course and participated in the research debates were contacted.

Design: Cross-sectional study – survey design.

Methods: A questionnaire developed exclusively for this study was administered both in-person and online to collect the data. The survey was anonymous and voluntary in nature.

Results: A total of 171 students responded to the survey. The respondents were predominantly males, chiropractic students, and reported having a bachelor’s degree as the highest level of education prior to entering the CAM programs. The results indicated that a majority of students rated that their research literacy skills, which included familiarity with databases and critical appraisal skills, as either outstanding, above average or average. Most respondents also reported that they used these skills at least 1-5 times in clinical internship in the past week. The pedagogy adopted to teach these skills, research debates were also rated either very useful or useful by a majority of respondents. However, there was no association between age, gender, program, the students are in, or highest level of education to knowledge of databases or critical appraisal skills.

Conclusion: CAM students perceive their research literacy skills high, but there are no predictors for these perceptions.