Abstract
INTRODUCTION: UK evidence-based guidelines recommend helping those with asthma to control their symptoms through education and individualised, written action plans. Training professionals to help a range of patients with individual disease characteristics, personal attributes and lifestyles may be an important factor in asthma management. Training in patient-centred, communication has proven benefits at the level of randomised controlled trials [1,2]. However, we do not know in what way these interventions are effective. Psychological theories of behaviour change such as the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) [3] can be helpful in determining exactly why an intervention was effective, or not. This can provide information on training variants and their possible effects on outcome. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a questionnaire using the TPB to explore GP and practice nurses’ beliefs and attitudes towards training in patient-centred asthma management. This training is modified from a programme successfully implemented with American office based paediatricians [5]. METHODS: We constructed a TPB questionnaire using published guidelines [4] and with reference to the goals of the training programme [5]. The resultant questionnaire was validated through a web-based survey of GPs and practice nurses. Data was analysed using multiple regression. Results and CONCLUSIONS: The process of constructing and validating the TPB questionnaire will be described, and its use discussed in relation to primary care respiratory research and training. Conflict of interest and funding None.