Effectiveness of interventions to improve health behaviours of health professionals: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve the health behaviours of health professionals.

Design: Systematic review.

Data sources: Database searches: Medline, Cochrane library, Embase and CINAHL.

Review methods: This systematic review used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to compare randomised controlled trials of health professionals, published between 2010 and 2021, which aimed to improve at least one health behaviour such as physical activity, diet, smoking status, mental health and stress. Two independent reviewers screened articles, extracted data and assessed quality of studies and reporting. The quality of articles was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool and the completeness of intervention reporting was assessed.

Outcome measures: The outcome assessed was change in behaviour between intervention and control groups from baseline to follow-up.

Results: Nine studies met the eligibility criteria, totalling 1107 participants. Health behaviours targeted were mental health and stress, physical activity, and smoking cessation, physical activity and nutrition. Six interventions observed significant improvements in the health behaviour in the intervention compared with control groups. Seven of the studies selected in person workshops as the mode of intervention delivery. The quality of the included studies was high with 80% (7/9) graded as moderate or strong.

Conclusions: Although high heterogeneity was found between interventions and outcomes, promising progress has occurred across a variety of health behaviours. Improving reporting and use of theories and models may improve effectiveness and evaluation of interventions. Further investigation is needed to recommend effective strategies.

Prospero registration number: CRD42021238684.

Keywords: EDUCATION & TRAINING (see Medical Education & Training); Health policy; PRIMARY CARE.