Professor Susan Michie Professor of Health Psychology and Director, Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London
Abstract
Every smoker has different life circumstances, personal resources and mindsets s/he brings to the challenge of quitting smoking. Behavioural support to achieve this is complex, with many components. Selecting those that best suit the individual and his or her context leads to better outcomes. The NCSCT’s Standard Treatment Protocol (STP) identifies the key evidence-based behaviour change techniques which should be delivered but the question is how best to personalise these. Personalised support starts with a method for assessing the key changes that are required for that individual and the approaches most likely to bring about those changes. The method needs to be practicable for a clinical setting.
This talk will look at how to use ‘The Behaviour Change Wheel’ to personalise stop-smoking support. The Wheel starts with a model of what needs to change for the individual smoker to become a long-term ex-smoker (in terms of capability, opportunity, motivation and/or other behaviours). This provides a basis for deciding what to prioritise in the support package: education, persuasion, incentivisation, (gentle) coercion, training, restriction, environmental restructuring, modelling and enablement (e.g. pharmacological support).
A number of examples will be considered to show how this approach can be used in practice.
Source of funding: Cancer Research UK
Declaration of interest: RW and SM are honorary co-directors of the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training. RW undertakes research and consultancy for companies that develop and manufacture smoking cessation medications. RW’s salary is funded by Cancer Research UK. SM’s salary is part funded by Cancer Research UK.
