Developing an intervention to implement an ICF-based e-intake tool in clinical otology and audiology practice

Objective: To develop an intervention for the implementation of an ICF-based e-intake tool in clinical oto-audiology practice.

Design: Intervention design study using the eight-stepped Behaviour Change Wheel. Hearing health professionals’ (HHPs) and patients’ barriers to and enablers of the use of the tool were identified in our previous study (steps 1–4). Following these steps, relevant intervention functions and policy categories were selected to address the reported barriers and enablers (steps 5–6); and behaviour change techniques and delivery modes were chosen for the selected intervention functions (steps 7–8).

Results: For HHPs, the intervention functions education, training, enablement, modelling, persuasion and environmental restructuring were selected (step 5). Guidelines, service provision, and changes in the environment were identified as appropriate policy categories (step 6). These were linked to nine behaviour change techniques (e.g. information on health consequences), delivered through educational/training materials and workshops, and environmental factors (steps 7–8). For patients, the intervention functions education and enablement were selected, supported through service provision (steps 5–6). These were linked to three behaviour change techniques (e.g. environmental factors), delivered through their incorporation into the tool (steps 7–8).

Conclusions: A multifaceted intervention was proposed to support the successful implementation of the intake tool.