Despite the effectiveness of brief lifestyle interventions delivered in primary health care (PHC), implementation in routine practice remains suboptimal. Previous research suggests that there are many barriers to PHC clinicians addressing lifestyle risk factors, however few studies have identified the importance of various factors and how they shape practices. This thesis aimed to develop and describe a theoretical model to explain the lifestyle risk factor management practices of PHC clinicians and to identify critical leverage points for intervention. The study analysed data collected as part of a larger feasibility project of risk factor management in three community health teams in NSW, Australia, involving 48 PHC providers working outside of general practice. Grounded theory principles were used to inductively develop a model, involving three main stages of analysis: 1) an initial model was developed based on quantitative analysis of clinician survey and audit data, and qualitative analysis of a purposeful sample of participant interviews (n=18) and journal notes; 2) the model was then refined through additional qualitative analysis of participant interviews (n=30) and journal notes; and 3) the usefulness of the model was examined through a mixed methods and case study analysis. The model suggests that implementation of lifestyle risk factor management reflects clinicians??? beliefs about commitment and capacity. Commitment represents the priority placed on risk factor management and reflects beliefs about role congruence, client receptiveness and the likely impact of intervening. Capacity beliefs reflect clinician views about self efficacy, role support and the fit between risk factor management and ways of working. The model suggests that clinicians formulate different intervention expectations based on these beliefs and their philosophical views about appropriate ways to intervene. These expectations then provide a cognitive framework guiding their risk factor management practices. Finally, clinicians??? appraisal of the overall benefits and costs of addressing lifestyle issues acts to positively reinforce or to diminish their commitment to implementing these practices. The model extends previous research by outlining a process by which clinicians??? perceptions shape implementation of lifestyle risk factor management in routine practice. This provides new insights to inform the development of effective strategies to improve such practices.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/279634 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Laws, Rachel Angela, Centre for Primary Health Care & Equity, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW |
| Publisher | Awarded by:University of New South Wales. Centre for Primary Health Care & Equity |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Copyright Laws Rachel Angela., http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/copyright |
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