The Swiss chiropractic practice-based research network: a population-based cross-sectional study to inform future musculoskeletal research

Abstract

The Swiss chiropractic practice-based research network (PBRN) is a nationwide project developed in collaboration with patients, clinicians, and academic stakeholders to advance musculoskeletal epidemiologic research. The aim of this study was to describe the clinician population recruited and representativeness of this PBRN to inform future collaboration. A population-based cross-sectional study was performed. PBRN clinician characteristics were described and factors related to motivation (operationalised as VAS score ≥ 70) to participate in a subsequent patient cohort pilot study were assessed. Among 326 eligible chiropractors, 152 enrolled in the PBRN (47% participation). The PBRN was representative of the larger Swiss chiropractic population with regards to age, language, and geographic distribution. Of those enrolled, 39% were motivated to participate in a nested patient cohort pilot study. Motivation was associated with age 40 years or older versus 39 years or younger (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-5.2), and with a moderate clinic size (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.7) or large clinic size (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.0-7.8) versus solo practice. The Swiss chiropractic PBRN has enrolled almost half of all Swiss chiropractors and has potential to facilitate collaborative practice-based research to improve musculoskeletal health care quality.Trial registration: Swiss chiropractic PBRN (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05046249); Swiss chiropractic cohort (Swiss ChiCo) pilot study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05116020).

Conflict of interest statement

CAH reports a grant to the University of Zurich from the Foundation for the Education of Chiropractors in Switzerland for the submitted work. CAH reports support for attending a meeting at the Franco-European Chiropractic Institute and grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the European Centre for Chiropractic Research Excellence (ECCRE) outside the submitted work. All other authors report no financial relationships with any organisations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years. All authors report no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

© 2023. The Author(s).

Figures

Figure 1

Swiss chiropractic PBRN recruitment flowchart. Dec December, Nov November, PBRN Practice-based research network, Sept September.

Figure 2

PBRN clinician participation across Swiss Cantons. AG Aargau, AI Appenzell Innerrhoden, AR Appenzell Ausserrhoden, BE Bern, BL Basel-Landschaft, BS Basel-Stadt, FR Fribourg, GE Genéve, GL Glarus, GR Graubünden, JU Jura, LU Luzern, NE Neuchâtel, NW Nidwalden, OW Obwalden, SG St. Gallen, SH Schaffhausen, SO Solothurn, SZ Schwyz, TG Thurgau, TI Ticino, UR Uri, VD Vaud, VS Valais, ZG Zug, ZH Zurich. Source of map: “RSwissMaps” package, R (Version 4.2.0, https://www.R-project.org/).