Practice-based Small Group Learning: How health professionals view their intention to change and the process of implementing change in practice

Figures & data

Table

Practice points

There is a continuum of meanings underlying statements of intended changes to clinical practice – from consideration, through aspiration, to a commitment. PBSG Learning supplies the evidence for initiating change, as well as legitimising change since evidence is discussed within groups of local health professionals. Implementation of changes that require a team approach is likely to be slower and more incremental than changes within the individual health professional's control. Email can be a useful tool for qualitative research in the healthcare sector.

Table 1.  Learners intending to introduce specific changes in clinical practice after the first PBSGL meeting

Group type	Group identifier	Attendance at first meeting	Number of learners intending to introduce specific practice change
Multi-professional	MP1	8	5
	MP2	8	4
	Subtotal	16	8*
Practice Nurse-only	PN1	6	5
	PN2	8	1
	Subtotal	14	6
Total participants studied			14

Note: A total of nine learners involved in the multi-professional groups indicated intention to change, however, one of these was involved with developing the interview questions and therefore excluded from study.

Box 1 The commitment-to-change instrument contained in a PBSGL log-sheet