Professor Susan Michie Professor of Health Psychology, University College London and Co-Director, National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT)
Abstract
Background: The NHS aims to provide evidence-based health care. This is often not achieved. Stop Smoking Services vary both in success rates and whether they deliver evidence-based support. Improving practice requires methods for specifying behavioural support so that research evidence, training, treatment manuals and practice can be compared. It also requires methods for changing practitioners’ behaviour.
Objectives: To describe the development and application of a method for specifying behavioural support for smoking cessation and improving professional practice.
Methods: Cochrane reviews and international guidance about behavioural support were analysed in terms of specific behaviour change techniques (BCTs); reliability for coding treatment manuals and published reports was assessed. These results were combined with similar work addressing other behaviours, including professional practice, to develop a generic taxonomy of BCTs.
Results: A reliable taxonomy of 40 BCTs used in behavioural support for smoking cessation enabled research to identify 16 core BCTs, which formed the basis of the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training’s (NCSCT) training programme. It has led to a reliable method for assessing behavioural support delivered in practice. A generic 93-item taxonomy, published in 2013, gives additional BCTs that may be useful in changing professional practice.
Conclusions: BCTs provides a useful method for research, audit and quality assurance, continuing professional development and training, and treatment manual development
Source of funding: National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training and Cancer Research UK
Declaration of interest: Susan Michie - None
Robert West: Robert West has undertaken research and consultancy for companies that develop and manufacture smoking cessation medications. Robert West has a share of a patent in a novel nicotine delivery device.
