Module Aims

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of core principles related to changing behaviour (of professionals, populations or individuals), how complex interventions to change behaviour can be developed, and approaches to evaluating the impact of the interventions with the potential to change behaviour. 

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to: 

1. Describe the role of behaviours in healthcare, health and disease 

2. Identify a range of models of professionals’, populations’ and individuals’ behaviours and behaviour change, and critically appraise the strengths and limitations of these 

3. Classify approaches to changing behaviours of professionals, populations and individuals using a variety of taxonomies, and appraise the strengths and limitations of these 

4. Design and interpret studies describing the distribution and determinants of behaviours of professionals, populations and individuals 

5. Develop causal diagrams of determinants of  behaviours of professionals, populations and individuals and use them to inform intervention development 

6. Develop a theory of change for an intervention 

7. Appropriately apply frameworks for designing and evaluating interventions, such as the MRC suite of guidance, and appraise their strengths and limitations 

8. Design an evaluation of an intervention selecting an appropriate study design 

9. Understand different approaches to causal inference and principles of synthesis within and between studies 

Pre-requisites

• Principles of epidemiology
• Principles of public health
• Research skills

Teaching Strategy 

The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures, workshops, small-group exercises, and class discussions. Some reading may be required prior to some sessions. 

Assessment

The assessment for the Changing Behaviour Module will be based on an e-poster and brief presentation. To inform your poster topic, you can select one of five pre-specified topics where changing behaviour might provide a solution or where behaviour change may be the result of a change to policy or the environment. Pre-specified topics include topics of relevance to both public health and primary care and can be approached from a UK or international perspective. You will present your e-poster in the final poster presentation session. This will involve answering questions from module lecturers and peers about your proposed intervention and evaluation.. 

Module Length

4 days