JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Healthcare providers (HCPs) are key agents in supporting health behaviour (e.g., smoking, physical activity) change in patients. Toolkits have previously been used to guide HCPs in care and have shown effectiveness in improving clinical outcomes. However, there is a lack of understanding as to how toolkits should be developed to best support HCPs.

Objective:

This scoping review aimed to map the existing literature on the theories, models, frameworks, approaches, and methods that have been used in the development of toolkits to support HCPs in health behaviour change. 

Methods:

Six databases (Medline, EMBASE, Emcare, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched. Original research articles that described the development of a toolkit to support HCPs in health behaviour change for patients with chronic conditions were included.

Results:

Eighteen studies were included. Toolkit format (e.g., use of videos, written components) varied greatly between studies. All studies included knowledge users in the development of the toolkit. Use of a theory, model, or framework was described in 14 studies and barriers and facilitators to HCP promotion of health behaviour change were examined in 14 studies. Toolkit development typically consisted of an exploratory phase to determine knowledge user needs and wants, toolkit development, dissemination, and evaluation.

Conclusions:

Toolkits varied greatly in format and development process but generally included development through iterative feedback from knowledge users. To assist future investigators looking to develop a toolkit for health behaviour change, we present a definition of a toolkit and series of recommendations for toolkit design and development.