Shared decision-making (SHARE-D) for healthy behaviour change: a feasibility study in general practice

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Abstract

Background: Effective interventions are needed to support health behaviour change for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Decision tools encourage behaviour change but their effectiveness when used in shared decision-making with health professionals (HPs) is unknown.

Aim: To test the feasibility of using a novel, paper-based tool for shared decision-making in initiating behaviour change. Design & setting: A feasibility study in five general practices in Northern Ireland.

Method: Adults with, or at high risk of, CVD were invited to discuss their diet and physical activity (PA) with an HP. Using a paper-based decision aid in shared decision-making about behaviour change, their capabilities, opportunities, and motivation were considered. Diet and PA were assessed at baseline, 1, and 3 months using the Dietary Instrument for Nutritional Education (DINE) and the Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire (RPAQ); accelerometers measured PA at baseline and 3 months. Semi-structured interviews, analysed thematically, explored participants’ and HPs’ views of the process.

Results: The positive response rate to study invitation was 28% (45/162); 23 were recruited (aged 43–74 years; 50% male; <40% met diet or PA recommendations); and 87% (20/23) completed the study. All interviewees valued the tool’s structure, succinct content, and facilitation of discussion. HPs’ sharing of relevant personal experience encouraged behaviour change; social responsibilities, health conditions, and beliefs restricted change. HPs’ workloads prohibited the tool’s routine use.

Conclusion: Recruitment and completion rates suggest that using a novel, paper-based tool in shared decision-making for behaviour change is feasible. HPs’ workloads constrain its use in practice, but qualitative findings indicate its potential value. Cross-sector collaborative exploration of sustainable models to promote behaviour change is needed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number18X101517
Number of pages12
JournalBJGP Open
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Apr 2018

Keywords

  • General Practice
  • Primary Care
  • Health behaviour change
  • Physical Activity
  • Diet
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Decision support
  • Decision Making

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine
  • General Health Professions

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  • Academic Review Panel

    Cupples, M. (Member)

    13 May 2014

    Activity: Consultancy typesWork on advisory panel to industry or government or non-government organisation

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