How can we enhance timely health management in patients with a chronic health condition?
Using qualitative research methods to identify behavioural influences
Medication Adherence
Behavioural Analysis
Challenge
Patients with a given chronic health condition often delay managing and treating their attacks promptly. This delay can lead to severe health risks. The goal was to understand behavioural patterns surrounding health attacks, explore the decision-making process for treatment, and identify both barriers and enablers affecting timely response to symptoms.
Approach
This study employed a qualitative research approach involving in-depth interviews with patients with a specific chronic health condition. The interviews were structured to identify patients' behaviours during health attacks and their interactions with caregivers and medical teams. The data collected was analysed using the Theoretical Domains Framework to identify key behavioural influences.
Outcome
The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the BCW approach and the use of the TDF and COM-B model to understand the influences on behaviour in a systematic manner, especially for mental health and well-being interventions.
The findings can be applied to design structured interventions to change behaviours related to the engagement with, and moderation of, web-based peer support groups and, in turn, improve mental health outcomes for young people.