Behavior Change in Diabetes Practitioners: An intervention Using Motivation, Action Planning and Prompts

Abstract

Objectives It is important for health professionals to have behavior change skills to empower people to manage long-term-conditions. Theoretically derived, competency-based training can be particularly effective where it considers reflective and automatic routes to behavior change. The aim of this study was to develop, deliver and evaluate a motivational, action and prompting behavior change skills intervention for diabetes health practitioners in Scotland, UK. Methods This was a longitudinal intervention study. A 2-day intervention was delivered to 99 health professionals. Participants set behavioral goals to change practice, completing action and coping plans post-training. Motivation and plan quality were evaluated in relation to goal achievement at 6-week follow-up. Results Post-training, practitioners could develop high quality work-related action and coping plans, which they were motivated to enact. Although under half responded at follow-up, most reported successful goal achievement. There was no difference in plan quality for goal achievers, non-achievers and non-responders. Barriers and facilitators of behavior change included institutional, service-user and individual factors. Conclusions The intervention successfully used planning to implement participants’ behaviour change goals. Practice Implications Planning interventions are helpful to support clinicians to change their practice to help people self-manage diabetes care but may not fit demands of day-to-day clinical practice.