Can theory be embedded in visual interventions to promote self-management? A proposed model and worked example

Area of Science:

• Health behavior change
• Nursing interventions
• Visual communication in healthcare

Background:

• Nurses play a key role in promoting patient self-management behaviors.
• Behavioral interventions increasingly utilize visual media, driven by technological advancements and communication preferences.
• Current development of visual health interventions often lacks theoretical and evidence-based grounding, potentially leading to inefficiency or harm.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the potential of visual-based interventions for behavior change.
• To propose a model for creating theory-informed visual interventions, adapted from the MRC Framework for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions.
• To guide nurses in developing robust and practically usable visual health interventions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and theoretical discussion on visual interventions for behavior change.
• Adaptation of the MRC Framework for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions.
• Case study: Development of a visual intervention to motivate lifestyle changes in individuals at increased cardiovascular risk.
• Proposed step-wise model: (1) theoretical basis identification, (2) visual narrative development, (3) visual rendering, (4) patient interpretation and impact assessment.

Main Results:

• Visual interventions offer a powerful medium for behavior change, leveraging technological advances and evolving communication preferences.
• A proposed step-wise model guides the theory-informed development of visual interventions.
• The model integrates theoretical underpinnings with practical application, from concept to patient assessment.
• Case study demonstrates the application of the model in motivating lifestyle changes for cardiovascular risk reduction.

Conclusions:

• Visual interventions are a promising avenue for enhancing patient self-management and behavior change.
• A structured, theory-informed approach is crucial for developing effective and evidence-based visual health interventions.
• The proposed model provides a framework for nurses to lead the development of robust visual interventions, ensuring practical utility and positive patient impact.