Research/Trials

Research Pillar 3: Health-related Behaviour Change Intervention Evaluation

We rigorously evaluate theory-based behaviour change interventions, emphasizing randomized and cluster-randomized designs, and conduct theory-based process evaluations embedded alongside trials to assess fidelity and mechanisms of change.

On-going trials of behaviour change interventions

• Promoting organ and tissue donation registration in family physicians’ waiting rooms (RegisterNow-1 trial)
• Pragmatic randomized trial of intervention promoting medication adherence and cardiac rehabilitation attendance post-MI (ISLAND)
• Factorial trial of intervention to increase family physicians use of audit and feedback reports
• Factorial cluster-randomised trial of feedback message framing and comparators to reduce high-risk prescribing in nursing homes

Completed trials of behaviour change interventions

• Cluster-randomised controlled trial of a multiple behaviour change intervention aimed at healthcare professionals to improve their management of type 2 diabetes (IDEA trial)
• Factorial randomized n-of-1 trials of goal setting and self-monitoring to increase walking

Theory-based process evaluations

• Process evaluation alongside RCT of printed educational materials to increase diabetic retinopathy referral
• Process evaluation alongside RCT of printed educational materials to increase thiazides prescribing

Behaviour change intervention development

• Overview of approaches for developing behaviour change interventions
• Negotiating tensions between theory and design
• Designing emails aimed at increasing family physicians use of audit and feedback