Health behaviour change

Chronic disease management and PR programmes have the potential to change patient lifestyle and, as a result, impact outcomes. Behaviour changes are needed all the time but are particularly timely immediately after meaningful events, such as hospitalisation. PR programmes are especially suited to start a health behaviour change intervention, as patients can craft a lifestyle according to their own priorities and capacities. When interventions target a behaviour change, it is preferable to aim to achieve small goals, as major changes in behaviour have proved to be less effective. Long-term programmes are necessary when targeting lifestyle changes. Self-monitoring, goal setting and motivational interview-based health coaching have been widely used to achieve benefits in different outcomes. As behaviour change is now a recognised desired outcome of PR, an essential factor at this point is to train providers in learning and applying behaviour change interventions.