Developing Complex Interventions CPPD

Course overview

Module outline and aims

This module has been designed for researchers and healthcare professionals who want to improve health or healthcare by changing the behaviour of the public, patients or professionals. Achieving sustained behaviour change is difficult and often requires interventions that have multiple interacting components. Developing these ‘complex interventions’ is challenging and requires new methodological approaches that have evolved rapidly over recent years.

The phrase ‘complex interventions’ is very broad but specific examples include:

• a health promotion programme designed to improve physical activity and diet for members of the public at risk of developing chronic conditions
• a self-management education clinic for patients with diagnosed long-term conditions
• an intervention designed to bring the clinical practice of healthcare professionals in line with recommended guidelines

The module is suitable for researchers, healthcare professionals, intervention designers, managers and policy makers. A background in psychology, behavioural science or a related discipline would be advantageous but is not essential.

The aims of the module are to:

• Promote understanding of systematic, theory-driven approaches to the development of complex interventions.
• Provide opportunities to engage with specific methods and reflect on the challenges involved in their application.
• Encourage critical reflection on the strengths and weaknesses of the dominant approaches and examine alternative perspectives.

Module dates