Introductory description

A critical component of improving mental health and wellbeing involves changing behaviour. This module will provide students with a core foundation in the theory of behaviour change and students will learn about the latest science of digital technologies and complex interventions. The learning content will also enable students to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions and technologies for behaviour change. Sessions will be led by academics with expertise in behavioural science, health psychology, digital healthcare and economics.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Although the content may vary, the module will cover subjects such as: Behaviour change; Incentives and behaviour change; Digital technologies, Complex interventions; Economics and wellbeing; Economic evaluation;
Success and failure .

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate how the theory of behaviour change applies to real-world behaviour interventions.
• Analyse the strengths and limitations of digital interventions.
• Contrast the utility of simple vs complex interventions for behaviour change.
• Critically evaluate whether an intervention has been successful and whether it is cost-effective.
• Assess the practical considerations underpinning intervention implementation.

Indicative reading list

Craig, P., Dieppe, P., Macintyre, S., Michie, S., Nazareth, I., & Petticrew, M. (2008). Developing and evaluating complex interventions: the new Medical Research Council guidance. BMJ, 337, a1655.
Campbell, N. C., Murray, E., Darbyshire, J., Emery, J., Farmer, A., Griffiths, F., ... & Kinmonth, A. L. (2007). Designing and evaluating complex interventions to improve health care. BMJ, 334(7591), 455-459.
Michie, S., Yardley, L., West, R., Patrick, K., & Greaves, F. (2017). Developing and evaluating digital interventions to promote behavior change in health and health care: recommendations resulting from an international workshop. Journal of medical Internet research, 19(6), e232.
Murray, E., Hekler, E. B., Andersson, G., Collins, L. M., Doherty, A., Hollis, C., ... & Wyatt, J. C. (2016). Evaluating digital health interventions: key questions and approaches. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 51 (5), 843-851.

Interdisciplinary

Sessions will be led by academics with expertise in behavioural science, health psychology, digital healthcare and economics.

Subject specific skills

Identify the key areas where behavioural science has been applied to behaviour change.
Understand how to apply behaviour change theory in the real world.
Critical evaluation of digital technologies for behaviour change.

Transferable skills

Critical assessment of research.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of real-world interventions.
Evaluation of the appropriateness of behaviour change methods.
Understanding of the practical considerations for implementation and testing.
Oral and visual communication.