Practice-based Small Group Learning: How health professionals view their intention to change and the process of implementing change in practice

Abstract

Commitment-to-change (CTC) strategies used as part of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes have been found to influence changes in the clinical practice of health professionals. However, there is an unquestioned usage of the term ‘commitment’ to describe the statements made by learners specifying the changes they intend to make following CPD programmes. The Practice-based Small Group Learning (PBSGL) programme is one approach to the CPD of health professionals that includes a CTC instrument. This study reports on a pilot PBSGL programme in Scotland, which composed of mixed groups of General Practitioners (GPs) and Practice Nurses (PNs), as well as PN-only groups. Using qualitative methods, the study examines the meaning that learners ascribe to their statements of intention to introduce changes in their practice. It reveals that for some participants commitment is too strong a word to describe their intention. Nevertheless, others did feel that they were committing to the changes that they identified at PBSGL meetings. This study also explores the factors that influenced the decision of PBSGL participants to introduce practice changes, and the process of implementing change in clinical practice.