Developing a theoretically-informed education programme within the context of a complex implementation strategy in UK primary care: an exemplar from the IMP2ART trial

Abstract

IMPlementing IMProved Asthma self-management as RouTine (IMP2ART) is a programme developing and evaluating a strategy for implementing supported asthma self-management in UK primary care. The strategy encompasses patient-facing resources, professional education, and organisational approaches to embed supported self-management. We report the development of a theoretically-informed interprofessional education programme which aims to raise awareness and enable healthcare professionals to deliver effective supported self-management. Aligned with the Medical Research Council (MRC) Complex Intervention Framework, the multidisciplinary team developed educational content in three phases: 1) Developmental phase, identifying educational and behaviour change theory to guide development, in consultation with a professional advisory group 2) Feasibility pilot phase, testing the education using a ‘think-aloud’ method 3) Pre-pilot phase, delivering the education within the IMP2ART strategy. The developmental phase identified educational and behaviour change theory, and the need to provide two education modules: 1) a team module to raise awareness of supported self-management for the whole team, 2) an individual study module for those who conduct asthma reviews with patients. The feasibility pilot highlighted content and design features in need of refinement, and the pre-pilot identified changes to the delivery strategy for the education modules. A multi-stage development process, aligned with the MRC Framework contributed to the module design. There were important benefits of working together as an education/research team.