Post-training evaluation of healthcare practitioners’ use of skills to support patients to make lifestyle changes

Abstract

Background: UK Department of Health advocates improving the public health capability of frontline staff by training them to “make every contact countâ€. This study aims to evaluate the effect of training in skills to support behaviour change on practitioners’ consultations with patients. Methods: Twenty practitioner-patient consultations were observed post-training (T1=11;T2=9), followed by audio-recorded reflective-feedback interviews. Training competencies and use of behaviour change techniques were assessed, and interview transcripts were thematically analysed. Findings: Moderate-to-high levels of competence in skills' use were observed; this, and the use of BCTs, increased over time. Interpretation of emergent themes suggested that practitioner motivation to utilise the skills, reflect on their use, and identify barriers, facilitators and areas for improvement was underpinned by perceived value of the skills in supporting patients to make changes. Discussion: Training which incorporates reflection skills and follow-up support facilitates the embedding of skills to support behaviour change into routine practice. This has implications for health psychologists working in public health who aim to equip frontline staff with skills to “make every contact count†and ultimately improve population health.