Explaining the effects of an intervention designed to promote evidence-based diabetes care: a theory-based process evaluation of a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial

2008

Understanding Diabetes Care: A Study on Clinician Behavior

Sample size: 112 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Francis Jillian J, Eccles Martin P, Johnston Marie, Whitty Paula, Grimshaw Jeremy M, Kaner Eileen FS, Smith Liz, Walker Anne

Primary Institution: Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen

Hypothesis

Can the Theory of Planned Behaviour explain the effects of an intervention on diabetes care practices among clinicians?

Conclusion

The study found that clinicians with attitudinally-driven intentions were more likely to translate those intentions into action compared to those with normatively-driven intentions.

Supporting Evidence

Attitudinally-driven intentions were more consistently translated into action than normatively-driven intentions.
The intervention strengthened the link between attitudes and intentions towards inspecting feet.
Clinicians in smaller practices had stronger intentions to measure blood pressure.
Nurses had more positive intentions and attitudes than GPs for measuring blood pressure and examining feet.

Takeaway

This study shows that when doctors and nurses feel strongly about their beliefs, they are more likely to act on them, especially in diabetes care.

Methodology

A postal questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour was sent to general practitioners and nurses to assess their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding diabetes care.