The OnTrack Diabetes Group Therapy Project: Feasibility Trial of a Web-based CBT Program with Conjunctive Group Therapy

Context. Type 2 diabetes is a global public health concern due to its wide-spread impacts on mortality, morbidity and quality of life, which are largely preventable through adequate self-management. However, emotional and psychological barriers to effective self-management remain a challenge for health systems to address. Interventions targeting diabetes self-management, emotional and psychological issues can lead to improvements in patients’ physical and mental health outcomes. Furthermore, there is a significant, positive relationship between social support and psychological wellbeing in people with diabetes and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has demonstrated efficacy in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in this population. Intervention. This paper presents on the feasibility trial of an intervention that includes social support in the form of CBT-based group therapy delivered in conjunction with a web-based CBT type 2 diabetes self-management and mood intervention. Methods. Aims of this study include: (i) to evaluate user uptake, engagement, perceived usefulness and acceptability of the intervention; and (ii) to evaluate the implementation fidelity of both intervention components, as well as group cohesion and group-facilitator alliance, and their relationship to participant engagement in the group therapy program. A sample of 30 adults with type 2 diabetes is recruited to take part in the trial at three locations, including metropolitan Victoria and regional areas of Victoria and Queensland. Results. Results will indicate the feasibility of delivering a face-to-face group therapy program with web-based support and will inform the future roll-out of the program as a complete web-based intervention. Conclusions. Implications for the future implementation of the program based on feasibility trial findings will be discussed

Using an integrated social cognition model to identify the determinants of QR code check-in compliance behaviors in the COVID-19 pandemic

In Australia, checking in while entering venues was a legal requirement during the COVID-19 pandemic to track potential infection sites. This two-wave correlational study used an integrated theory of planned behavior model including moral norms, anticipated regret, and habit to predict check-in compliance in a sample of 181 Victorians (Mean Age = 41.88, 56.4% female) and 162 Queenslanders (Mean Age = 43.26, 47.5% female). Habit and intention predicted behavior, while perceived behavioral control did not. Intention was predicted by baseline habit, attitude, subjective norm, and moral norm in the Victorian sample, while only baseline habit and moral norm predicted intention in the Queensland sample. This study has potential implications for reviewing previous strategies and for future pandemic preparedness, both by identifying the drivers of infection control compliance, and through the discussion of how differences in effects between states may be linked to each state’s experience of the pandemic (e.g. infection rates, lockdown length)

A systematic review of geographical differences in management and outcomes for colorectal cancer in Australia

Background Australia and New Zealand have the highest incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the world, presenting considerable health, economic, and societal burden. Over a third of the Australian population live in regional areas and research has shown they experience a range of health disadvantages that result in a higher disease burden and lower life expectancy. The extent to which geographical disparities exist in CRC management and outcomes has not been systematically explored. The present review aims to identify the nature of geographical disparities in CRC survival, clinical management, and psychosocial outcomes. Methods The review followed PRISMA guidelines and searches were undertaken using seven databases covering articles between 1 January 1990 and 20 April 2016 in an Australian setting. Inclusion criteria stipulated studies had to be peer-reviewed, in English, reporting data from Australia on CRC patients and relevant to one of fourteen questions examining geographical variations in a) survival outcomes, b) patient and cancer characteristics, c) diagnostic and treatment characteristics and d) psychosocial and quality of life outcomes. Results Thirty-eight quantitative, two qualitative, and three mixed-methods studies met review criteria. Twenty-seven studies were of high quality, sixteen studies were of moderate quality, and no studies were found to be low quality. Individuals with CRC living in regional, rural, and remote areas of Australia showed poorer survival and experienced less optimal clinical management. However, this effect is likely moderated by a range of other factors (e.g., SES, age, gender) and did appear to vary linearly with increasing distance from metropolitan centres. No studies examined differences in use of stoma, or support with stomas, by geographic location. Conclusions Overall, despite evidence of disparity in CRC survival and clinical management across geographic locations, the evidence was limited and at times inconsistent. Further, access to treatment and services may not be the main driver of disparities, with individual patient characteristics and type of region also playing an important role. A better understanding of factors driving ongoing and significant geographical disparities in cancer related outcomes is required to inform the development of effective interventions to improve the health and welfare of regional Australians

Development and evaluation of the Ontrack Diabetes Program : an automated, web-based type 2 diabetes self-management and dysphoria intervention

This research was conducted in the area of Clinical and Health Psychology. The study involved the development and evaluation of a novel, web-based program aimed to improve Type 2 diabetes self-management and mood. The program was developed as an original technological intervention aimed to improve access to support for rural and remote communities, and is currently being trialled across Australia with a larger sample size. The researcher aims to continue research into the field of clinical psychology, and in particular is interested in working on further interventions to support those with comorbid physical and mental health conditions

Perceived needs for supported self-management of type 2 diabetes: A qualitative investigation of the potential for a web-based intervention

The estimated one million Australians with type 2 diabetes face significant risks of morbidity and premature mortality. Inadequate diabetes self-management is associated with poor glycaemic control, which is further impaired by comorbid dysphoria. Regular access to ongoing self-management and psychological support is limited, especially in rural and regional locations. Web-based interventions can provide complementary support to patients’ usual care. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with two samples that comprised (a) 13 people with type 2 diabetes and (b) 12 general practitioners (GPs). Interviews explored enablers and barriers to self-care, emotional challenges, needs for support, and potential web-based programme components. Patients were asked about the potential utility of a web-based support programme, and GPs were asked about likely circumstances of patient referral to it. Thematic analysis was used to summarise responses. Most perceived facilitators and barriers to self-management were similar across the groups. Both groups highlighted the centrality of dietary self-management, valued shared decision-making with health professionals, and endorsed the idea of web-based support. Some emotional issues commonly identified by patients varied to those perceived by GPs, resulting in different attributions for impaired self-care. A web-based programme that supported self-management and psychological/emotional needs appears likely to hold promise in yielding high acceptability and perceived utility

An Environmental Scan of Australian Government and Health Organisation Messages on QR Code Check-in Compliance Behaviour in the COVID-19 Pandemic using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Compliance with COVID-19 preventive behaviours together with the urgency to contain the virus underscored the need for rapid yet effective public health massaging. While messages aimed to inform and protect the public, the evolving situation often precluded the use of theoretically-grounded and empirically-driven approaches. The aim of the current study was to analyse the presence and prevalence of belief-based constructs and strategies known to foster behaviour change embedded within Australian Government communications regarding QR code check-in and compliance behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a guiding framework. Six belief codes and five behaviour change techniques were identified in 17 communication messages. Findings highlight the use of potentially effective strategies in the messages to change behaviour; for example, drawing on attitudinal and self-efficacy beliefs. Yet, results also identified gaps, such as a lack of strategies to highlight normative influences and build habits, that can inform future messaging and pandemic preparedness

Strengths of the Health Action Process Approach: a Structured Review

Background Models of health behaviour change have historically focused on the proximal predictors of behaviour. However, people do not always act in accordance with their intentions and fail to take action under multiple and conflicting demands. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) is a model of health behaviour that attempts to provide a parsimonious explanation of health promoting behaviours that endeavours to bridge the intention-behaviour gap. Towards this end, the model distinguishes between motivational and volitional factors that contribute to behavioural engagement. Action self-efficacy, outcome expectancies and risk perception are motivational factors, whilst action planning, coping planning, maintenance self-efficacy, and recovery self-efficacy are volitional factors. Aims/objectives Our objective was to complete a systematic literature review of the HAPA model, with was undertaken with a particular focus to synthesise and analyse the current empirical evidence attesting to the effectiveness of the planning and self-efficacy components within the model. Method Using the PRIMSA method for systematic literature review we searched over 12 academic databases and Google Scholar. This search resulted in a detailed review of 47 articles from 1999 to 2015 across eight different behavioural outcome groups with 17,350 participants. Conclusion Our results indicate that Intention remains a strong predictor of behaviour but strengthening intentions through action self-efficacy and implementing plans increases the likelihood that behaviour will occur. As a set, these variables were found to provide the most parsimonious and consistent model of health promoting behaviour across various outcomes in 47 samples of healthy adults

The OnTrack Diabetes web-based program for type 2 diabetes and dysphoria self-management: A randomized controlled trial protocol

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising with the majority of patients practicing inadequate disease self-management. Depression, anxiety, and diabetes-specific distress present motivational challenges to adequate self-care. Health systems globally struggle to deliver routine services that are accessible to the entire population, in particular in rural areas. Web-based diabetes self-management interventions can provide frequent, accessible support regardless of time and location Objective: This paper describes the protocol of an Australian national randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the OnTrack Diabetes program, an automated, interactive, self-guided Web program aimed to improve glycemic control, diabetes self-care, and dysphoria symptoms in type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: A small pilot trial is conducted that primarily tests program functionality, efficacy, and user acceptability and satisfaction. This is followed by the main RCT, which compares 3 treatments: (1) delayed program access: usual diabetes care for 3 months postbaseline followed by access to the full OnTrack Diabetes program; (2) immediate program: full access to the self-guided program from baseline onward; and (3) immediate program plus therapist support via Functional Imagery Training (FIT). Measures are administered at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months postbaseline. Primary outcomes are diabetes self-care behaviors (physical activity participation, diet, medication adherence, and blood glucose monitoring), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, and diabetes-specific distress. Secondary outcomes are depression, anxiety, self-efficacy and adherence, and quality of life. Exposure data in terms of program uptake, use, time on each page, and program completion, as well as implementation feasibility will be conducted. Results: This trial is currently underway with funding support from the Wesley Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia. Conclusions: This is the first known trial of an automated, self-guided, Web-based support program that uses a holistic approach in targeting both type 2 diabetes self-management and dysphoria. Findings will inform the feasibility of implementing such a program on an ongoing basis, including in rural and regional locations

Development of the OnTrack diabetes program

Background: Type 2 diabetes affects an estimated 347 million people worldwide and often leads to serious complications including blindness, kidney disease, and limb amputation. Comorbid dysphoria is common and is an independent risk factor for poor glycaemic control. Professional support for diabetes self-management and dysphoria has limited availability and involves high costs, especially after regular hours, and in rural and remote areas. Web-based cognitive behavior therapy offers highly accessible, acceptable, and cost-effective support for people with diabetes. This paper describes the development of OnTrack Diabetes, a self-guided, Web-based program to promote improved physical and emotional self-management in people with Type 2 diabetes. Objective: The objective of the study is to describe the development of the OnTrack Diabetes program, which is a self-guided, Web-based program aimed to promote euthymia and improved disease self-management in people with Type 2 diabetes. Methods: Semistructured interviews with 12 general practitioners and 13 patients with Type 2 diabetes identified enablers of and barriers to effective diabetes self-management, requirements for additional support, and potential program elements. Existing resources and research data informed the development of content, and consultants from relevant disciplines provided feedback on draft segments and reviewed the program before release. Using a self-guided delivery format contained costs, in addition to adapting program features and modules from an existing OnTrack program. Results: A separate paper describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial to provide this required evaluation. Conclusions: Development of the OnTrack Diabetes program demonstrates strategies that help ensure that a program is acceptable to users. The next stages involve testing users’ experiences and examining the program’s effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in randomized controlled trials