Can the delivery of behavioural support be improved in the NHS England Low‐Calorie Diet Programme? An observational study of behaviour change techniques
Authors' conclusion
Overall, BCTs were delivered with low-to-moderate fidelity. Findings indicate a dilution in fidelity during the delivery of the NHS-LCD and variation in the fidelity of programmes delivered across England. Staff training could provide opportunities to practice the delivery of BCTs. Programme-level changes such as structured activities supported by participant materials and with sufficient allocated time, might improve the delivery of BCTs targeting self-regulation.
Study context
- Population
- Remotely delivered sessions of the NHS England Low-Calorie Diet (NHS-LCD) Programme; eight samples, two service providerssessions observed
- Participants
- 122 participants
- Exposure
- Group-based vs one-to-one delivery models
- Outcome
- Fidelity of delivery of behaviour change techniques to providers' programme plans (behaviour change techniques (BCTs) coded present, partially delivered or absent)
Methodological detailsmixed-methods sequential explanatory design, observation of remote delivery, BCT Taxonomy v1 checklist, relational content analysis of field notes
- Mixed-methods sequential explanatory design
- Observation of remote delivery
- BCT Taxonomy v1 checklist
- Relational content analysis of field notes
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Fidelity of BCT delivery
- Fidelity range across samples
- 33% to 70%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Observed barriers and facilitators to delivery
- Alignment with target behaviours and outcomes, session content, time availability and management, group-based remote delivery, and deviation from the session plan
Complete NHS-LCD delivery observed
- Samples with complete programme delivery observed
- 5
Original publication
Can the delivery of behavioural support be improved in the NHS England Low‐Calorie Diet Programme? An observational study of behaviour change techniques. Diabet Med. Published 4 November 2023. doi:10.
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