Deploy effective behavioural change techniques

Right Decision Service implementation guide
National

The Cochrane Effective Practice & Organisation of Care (EPOC) review group has evaluated a range of interventions for their effectiveness at influencing professional behaviours. The authors have collated the following summary table 7 from reviews by the EPOC group.

 

Table 7: Cochrane reviews of the effectiveness of behavioural change strategies

Strategy

No. of studies

Effectiveness

Reference

Audit and feedback

140 – 49 at low risk of bias

For low bias studies, 4% absolute improvement in practice. Feedback was more effective when baseline performance was low, the source is supervisor or colleague, provided more than once in both verbal and written formats & includes explicit targets and an action plan

Ivers N et al, 2012. Cochrane Library.

Continuing education meetings

215 studies

7% more likely to comply, with a 44% relative improvement in practice

Forsetlund L, et al, 2021. Cochrane library

Educational outreach visits

69 studies

6% (IQR 3% - 9%) more likely to comply with a 21% relative improvement

O’Brien M et al, 2007. Cochrane Library

Use of opinion leaders

24

9% absolute increase in adherence to evidence-based practice over median 12 month period

Flodgren G ert al, 2019. Cochrane library

Patient education & information leaflets

25

Patient education led to an 11% absolute (31% relative) increase in adherence of health care providers with intended behaviour

Fønhus MS, et al 2018. Cochrane Library

Interventions to promote adoption of ICTs

10 studies

4 out of 10 studies showed small to moderate effects

Gagnon M-P et al. 2009. Cochrane Library

On-screen point of care reminders

28 studies

4% (IQR 4%-19%) absolute improvement in practice

Shojania KG, et al 2009. Cochrane Library