Development of a Programme to Improve Empowerment and Health Behaviour in Adults Visiting Their General Practitioner

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of chronic diseases has increased during the past decades, suggesting that primary prevention about health behaviour may be important. The general practitioner (GP) can positively affect patients’ behavioural choices. But often GP’s report a lack of time which makes it difficult to provide preventive counselling. The objective in this study is to develop a programme delivered by GP’s that empowers adults (18 to 65 years old) to make changes in physical activity and dietary behaviours. Methods: The Intervention Mapping Protocol (IMP) was used for the systematic development of this programme. By the elaboration of the six steps of the IMP, theoretical and empirical methods were used and programme objectives (PO’s), theoretical methods and practical applications were stated. Findings: The systematic development resulted in a tablet based eHealth programme existing of three parts, based on the self-regulation theory: goal selection (1), active goal pursuit (2) and goal attainment (3). The PO for patients is to develop their own action plan that states which behaviour they will perform, when, where and how they will deal with difficult situations. Methods used are self-regulation, computer-tailoring, planning coping responses, goal setting, implementation intentions and selfmonitoring of behaviour. For GP’s the most important PO is to motivate their patients to use the programme. Discussion: The IMP resulted in the development of a flexible eHealth programme, used for developing action plans by patients to achieve health goals. This programme will be delivered in general practice by the use of tablets. It is expected that this programme solves the problem of time burden because it provides tailored information and empowers patients to change their behaviour themselves. To ensure the feasibility, focus group research have to be conducted in general practice. Also a pilot test to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility and efficacy of this programme will be performed.