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Implementation Science : IS Nov 2010Addressing deficiencies in the dissemination and transfer of research-based knowledge into routine clinical practice is high on the policy agenda both in the UK and...
BACKGROUND
Addressing deficiencies in the dissemination and transfer of research-based knowledge into routine clinical practice is high on the policy agenda both in the UK and internationally.However, there is lack of clarity between funding agencies as to what represents dissemination. Moreover, the expectations and guidance provided to researchers vary from one agency to another. Against this background, we performed a systematic scoping to identify and describe any conceptual/organising frameworks that could be used by researchers to guide their dissemination activity.
METHODS
We searched twelve electronic databases (including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO), the reference lists of included studies and of individual funding agency websites to identify potential studies for inclusion. To be included, papers had to present an explicit framework or plan either designed for use by researchers or that could be used to guide dissemination activity. Papers which mentioned dissemination (but did not provide any detail) in the context of a wider knowledge translation framework, were excluded. References were screened independently by at least two reviewers; disagreements were resolved by discussion. For each included paper, the source, the date of publication, a description of the main elements of the framework, and whether there was any implicit/explicit reference to theory were extracted. A narrative synthesis was undertaken.
RESULTS
Thirty-three frameworks met our inclusion criteria, 20 of which were designed to be used by researchers to guide their dissemination activities. Twenty-eight included frameworks were underpinned at least in part by one or more of three different theoretical approaches, namely persuasive communication, diffusion of innovations theory, and social marketing.
CONCLUSIONS
There are currently a number of theoretically-informed frameworks available to researchers that can be used to help guide their dissemination planning and activity. Given the current emphasis on enhancing the uptake of knowledge about the effects of interventions into routine practice, funders could consider encouraging researchers to adopt a theoretically-informed approach to their research dissemination.
PubMed: 21092164
DOI: 10.1186/1748-5908-5-91 -
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health Aug 2010Stair climbing is an activity that can easily be integrated into everyday life and has positive health effects. Point-of-choice prompts are informational or motivational... (Review)
Review
AIMS
Stair climbing is an activity that can easily be integrated into everyday life and has positive health effects. Point-of-choice prompts are informational or motivational signs near stairs and elevators/escalators aimed at increased stair climbing. The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of point-of-choice prompts for the promotion of stair climbing.
METHODS
In a systematic search of the literature, studies that assessed the effectiveness of point-of-choice prompts to increase the rate of stair climbing in the general population were identified. No restrictions were made regarding the setting, the duration of the intervention, or the kind of message.
RESULTS
A total of 25 studies were identified. Point-of-choice prompts were predominantly posters or stair-riser banners in public traffic stations, shopping malls or office buildings. The 25 studies reported 42 results. Of 10 results for elevator settings, only three reported a significant increase in stair climbing, whereas 28 of 32 results for escalator settings reported a significant increase in stair climbing.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, point-of-choice prompts are able to increase the rate of stair climbing, especially in escalator settings. In elevator settings, point-of-choice prompts seem less effective. The long-term efficacy and the most efficient message format have yet to be determined in methodologically rigorous studies.
Topics: Elevators and Escalators; Exercise; Health Behavior; Health Education; Health Promotion; Humans; Motor Activity; Persuasive Communication; Social Marketing; Walking
PubMed: 20601438
DOI: 10.1177/1403494810375865 -
Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official... Jan 2009Tobacco promotion increases the likelihood that adolescents will start smoking. Much of the tobacco industry's promotional budget is spent on point of sale (PoS)... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Tobacco promotion increases the likelihood that adolescents will start smoking. Much of the tobacco industry's promotional budget is spent on point of sale (PoS) promotion in many jurisdictions. Consequently, tobacco is an eye-catching feature at the PoS in many places.
METHODS
We reviewed the evidence that PoS tobacco promotion influences key smoking-related behaviors and beliefs, increases susceptibility to smoking in youth, undermines smokers' quit attempts, and promotes relapse among ex-smokers.
RESULTS
We found 12 peer-reviewed studies, 10 of which were focused on children. Seven of 8 observational studies found statistically significant associations between exposure to tobacco promotion at the PoS and smoking initiation or susceptibility to smoking. Two experimental studies of children found statistically significant associations between exposure to PoS tobacco promotions and beliefs about ease of getting tobacco and smoking prevalence among their peers. An experimental study with adults found that a picture of collected tobacco pack elicited cravings for cigarettes among smokers. A cross-sectional study found that 25% of adult smokers reported impulse purchasing and a third of recent ex-smokers reported urges to start smoking after seeing tobacco displayed.
DISCUSSION
More prospective studies are needed to clarify the temporal relationship between exposure to PoS tobacco and outcome. However, given the addictiveness of tobacco, the severity of the health hazards posed by smoking, the evidence that tobacco promotion encourages children to start smoking, and the consistency of the evidence that PoS promotion influences children's smoking, we believe that ample justification exists for banning PoS advertising and displays of smoked tobacco products.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult; Advertising; Commerce; Humans; Persuasive Communication; Photic Stimulation; Risk Factors; Smoking; Social Environment; Suggestion; Tobacco Industry; United States
PubMed: 19246438
DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntn002 -
Journal of Health Communication Dec 2008Brands build relationships between consumers and products, services, or lifestyles by providing beneficial exchanges and adding value to their objects. Brands can be... (Review)
Review
Brands build relationships between consumers and products, services, or lifestyles by providing beneficial exchanges and adding value to their objects. Brands can be measured through associations that consumers hold for products and services. Public health brands are the associations that individuals hold for health behaviors, or lifestyles that embody multiple health behaviors. We systematically reviewed the literature on public health brands; developed a methodology for describing branded health messages and campaigns; and examined specific branding strategies across a range of topic areas, campaigns, and global settings. We searched the literature for published studies on public health branding available through all relevant, major online publication databases. Public health branding was operationalized as any manuscripts in the health, social science, and business literature on branding or brands in health promotion marketing. We developed formalized decision rules and applied them in identifying articles for review. We initially identified 154 articles and reviewed a final set of 37, 10 from Africa, Australia, and Europe. Branded health campaigns spanned most of the major domains of public health and numerous communication strategies and evaluation methodologies. Most studies provided clear information on planning, development, and evaluation of the branding effort, while some provided minimal information. Branded health messages typically are theory based, and there is a body of evidence on their behavior change effectiveness, especially in nutrition, tobacco control, and HIV/AIDS. More rigorous research is needed, however, on how branded health messages impact specific populations and behaviors.
Topics: Health Promotion; Humans; Persuasive Communication; Public Health; Social Marketing
PubMed: 19051110
DOI: 10.1080/10810730802487364 -
Social Science & Medicine (1982) Dec 2008Including narratives in health-care interventions is increasingly popular. However, narrative information may bias individual's decision making, resulting in patients... (Review)
Review
Including narratives in health-care interventions is increasingly popular. However, narrative information may bias individual's decision making, resulting in patients making poorer decisions. This systematic review synthesises the evidence about the persuasiveness of narrative information on individuals' decision making. Seventeen studies met the review criteria; 41% of studies employed first person narration, 59% third person. Narrative information influenced decision making more than the provision of no additional information and/or statistically based information in approximately a third of the studies (5/17); studies employing first person narratives were twice as likely to find an effect. There was some evidence that narrative information encouraged the use of heuristic rather than systematic processing. However, there was little consistency in the methods employed and the narratives' content to provide evidence on why narratives affect the decision process and outcome, whether narratives facilitate or bias decision making, and/or whether narratives affect the quality of the decision being made. Until evidence is provided on why and how narratives influence decision making, the use of narratives in interventions to facilitate medical decision making should be treated cautiously.
Topics: Decision Making; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Narration; Patient Participation; Persuasive Communication
PubMed: 18951673
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.09.037 -
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Jun 2005
Review
Topics: Accidents, Traffic; Alcohol Drinking; Automobile Driving; Harm Reduction; Health Behavior; Health Education; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Healthy People Programs; Humans; Mass Media; Motivation; Persuasive Communication; Program Evaluation
PubMed: 15894161
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2005.02.013 -
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Jul 2004A systematic review of the effectiveness of mass media campaigns for reducing alcohol-impaired driving (AID) and alcohol-related crashes was conducted for the Guide to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
A systematic review of the effectiveness of mass media campaigns for reducing alcohol-impaired driving (AID) and alcohol-related crashes was conducted for the Guide to Community Preventive Services (Community Guide). In eight studies that met quality criteria for inclusion in the review, the median decrease in alcohol-related crashes resulting from the campaigns was 13% (interquartile range: 6% to 14%). Economic analyses of campaign effects indicated that the societal benefits were greater than the costs. The mass media campaigns reviewed were generally carefully planned, well executed, attained adequate audience exposure, and were implemented in conjunction with other ongoing prevention activities, such as high visibility enforcement. According to Community Guide rules of evidence, there is strong evidence that, under these conditions, mass media campaigns are effective in reducing AID and alcohol-related crashes.
Topics: Accidents, Traffic; Alcoholic Intoxication; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Health Education; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Mass Media; Persuasive Communication
PubMed: 15212776
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2004.03.002