Lifestyle intervention - a study on maintenance in general practice
Dhanapalaratnam, R.; Fanaian, M.; Harris, M.F.
Australian Family Physician 40(11): 903-906
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8495 PMID: 22059222 Document Number: 652051
This article aims to explore the factors contributing to sustained or nonsustained behaviour change following a lifestyle intervention in general practice. Twenty patients who had participated in a general practice health check and group lifestyle support program were interviewed by telephone after 12 months. The interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Patients reported positive effects of the intervention on their behaviour change, especially the group peer support. However, their maintenance of these changes varied. Factors that contributed to sustained behaviour change included social support and self efficacy. Factors contributing to relapse included competing demands on time, comorbidity and stress. Greater attention needs to be given to maintenance of behaviour change in lifestyle management programs. Following completion of the program, there needs to be greater support for relapse prevention and management and effective integration back into general practice.