Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jun 7, 2023
Date Accepted: Sep 5, 2023
Training Australian dietitians in behaviour change techniques through educational workshops: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Providing education alone in interventions is insufficient for changing behaviour, particularly in health interventions. The upskilling of health professionals can increase capability and motivation towards eliciting change in clients’ behaviours. To date, dietitians have received limited training in this area and have expressed a need for professional development on behaviour change.
Objective:
The aim of the study is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of two 2-hour behaviour change workshops on increasing dietitians’ use of behaviour change techniques in practice. Guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour Model (COM-B), we also aim to determine if attendance to these workshops will demonstrate an increase in dietitian’s capability, opportunity, and motivation towards using behaviour change techniques. Lastly, we also aim to determine the acceptability of the training.
Methods:
A randomised controlled trial will be conducted, with dietitians (N=140) randomised into the intervention or waitlist control conditions. Participants will complete questionnaires at three time points: baseline (T0), post workshop (T1), and follow up (T2). Primary outcomes include changes in the number of behaviour change techniques used and frequency of use. Secondary outcomes include changes in capability, opportunity, motivation, and preparedness over a 3-month period. Acceptability of the workshops will also be assessed postworkshop. A series of two-way repeated measures ANOVAs will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the intervention over 3 months, compared to the waitlist control at baseline.
Results:
Participant recruitment will commence in June/July 2023 and will be staggered over a 12-month period.
Conclusions:
This protocol outlines the methodology of a two-armed randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness and acceptability of two workshops for dietitians in behaviour change. Our results will guide future continuous professional development in behaviour change techniques and could equip health professionals to engaging in opportunistic behaviour change interventions. Clinical Trial: ACTRN12623000525684; https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12623000525684.aspx
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