Early career researcher symposium: understanding the uptake, acceptability and use of digital behaviour change interventions

Abstract

Aims: The symposium aims to present state-of-the-art research on understanding factors related to the successful distribution and use of digital behaviour change interventions (DIs). The symposium will focus on individual differences in the use of DIs. Researchers will propose new assessment tools for willingness to use DIs and for user engagement. Furthermore, the symposium aims to help to understand factors contributing to the acceptability of DIs in both patients and medical personnel. Ultimately, the symposium aims to connect researchers to jointly advance the development of DIs. Rationale: The European Union aims to make eHealth services more effective, user-friendly and widely acceptable. Health psychologists can help to achieve this goal by investigating psychological mechanisms and acceptance of existing DIs as well as by developing and testing ideas for new DIs. Summary: The symposium will consist of five presentations focusing on different aspects of DI use. In the first presentation, Jan Keller will present psychological mechanisms of a DI to increase fruit and vegetable intake. Presentations two and three will describe factors related to the uptake of DIs; Laura König will present a stage model to assess willingness to use nutrition and fitness apps, and Emma Carr will present findings from a focus group study on the acceptability of a planned breast cancer awareness DI. The fourth presentation will turn to medical personnel as one key stakeholder in providing DIs. Eimear Morrissey will present findings from a qualitative study on general practitioners’ views on apps for managing hypertension. The fifth presentation will focus on continuing use of DIs. Olga Perski will discuss the development of a new self-report measure for user engagement. The symposium will close with a discussion of the presented findings that will be facilitated by Felix Naughton.