Health Psychology in Practice

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Demystifying theory and its use in improvement.

The role and value of theory in improvement work in healthcare has been seriously underrecognised. We join others in proposing that more informed use of theory can strengthen improvement programmes and facilitate the evaluation of their effectiveness. Many professionals, including improvement practitioners, are unfortunately mystified-and alienated-by theory, which discourages them from using it in their work. In an effort to demystify theory we make the point in this paper that, far from being discretionary or superfluous, theory ('reason-giving'), both informal and formal, is intimately woven into virtually all human endeavour. We explore the special characteristics of grand, mid-range and programme theory; consider the consequences of misusing theory or failing to use it; review the process of developing and applying programme theory; examine some emerging criteria of 'good' theory; and emphasise the value, as well as the challenge, of combining informal experience-based theory with formal, publicly developed theory. We conclude that although informal theory is always at work in improvement, practitioners are often not aware of it or do not make it explicit. The germane issue for improvement practitioners, therefore, is not whether they use theory but whether they make explicit the particular theory or theories, informal and formal, they actually use

Covid-19: What we have learnt from behavioural science during the pandemic so far that can help prepare us for the future

The emergence of the omicron variant has raised concerns that the pandemic is not yet over. These authors outline four key lessons that governments need to learn from to protect against future pandemics

Supporting High Achievement in History : Conclusions of the NAGTY History Think Tank 28 / 29 November 2005

Matrix of relevant BCTs for intervention functions. Table outlining frequently used BCTS for each intervention function. Used for data analysis linking BCTs identified back to intervention functions. From Michie et al. [36] (PDF 62 kb

The steps from systematic review to a specific version of an intervention, showing the three basic approaches.

<p>The steps from systematic review to a specific version of an intervention, showing the three basic approaches.</p

Trials of pedometer interventions to increase physical activity [18]: table of intervention elements of studies with forest plot of effect.

<p>Trials of pedometer interventions to increase physical activity <a href="http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001690#pmed.1001690-Bravata1" target="_blank">[18]</a>: table of intervention elements of studies with forest plot of effect.</p

Example of the control theory model used for coding interventions in a review of audit and feedback studies by Gardner et al. [16].

<p>Example of the control theory model used for coding interventions in a review of audit and feedback studies by Gardner et al. <a href="http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001690#pmed.1001690-Gardner1" target="_blank">[16]</a>.</p

Definitions and methods of the three basic approaches for intervention synthesis.

<p>Definitions and methods of the three basic approaches for intervention synthesis.</p

Reasons given for attempts to reduce alcohol intake at baseline and the association with AUDIT-C scores at baseline.

<p>Reasons given for attempts to reduce alcohol intake at baseline and the association with AUDIT-C scores at baseline.</p

Additional file 1: of Reversing the pipeline? Implementing public health evidence-based guidance in english local government

Definitions and examples of the COM-B model sub-components. (DOCX 12 kb