Development of a family-centred intervention for families and children with hearing loss transitioning into early intervention: application of the Behaviour Change Wheel.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the application of the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to the development of a family-centred intervention for families of children with hearing loss transitioning into early intervention.

Design: The BCW was used in a mixed methods design to understand the gaps in family-centred service provision and to identify appropriate intervention functions and implementation options to address these gaps.

Study sample: Families and health professionals participated in different steps of the BCW.

Results: The qualitative interviews revealed that families required individualised information and support. The quantitative and interview data suggested inconsistencies in the provision of information and support to some families. It was determined that administration of a needs assessment by the support professionals was the most appropriate target behaviour to address this issue. In the analysis of the professionals' capabilities, opportunities, and motivations for administration of a needs assessment, a resource limitation was identified, and therefore, a Minimum Data Set for a Needs Assessment Tool was developed to facilitate the assessment of families' needs during the transition period.

Conclusions: This study provided an example of how the BCW could be successfully applied to the design of a family-centred intervention for families of children with hearing loss.