title: Implementation of innovative attitudes and behaviour in primary health care by means of strategic communication: a 7-year follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To bridge the gap between theory and practice, methods are needed that promote a positive attitude to change among health care professionals and facilitate the incorporation of new research findings. In this context, communication plays a significant role. The aim of this study was to analyse primary care staff members' readiness to adopt new ways of thinking and willingness to change their work practices by means of strategic communication.
  
  
  METHODS
  An evaluative design was used to study a primary care staff cohort for 7 years. The study population comprised all primary care staff in a region of Sweden (n = 1206). The strategic communication encompassed managerial impact, planning and implementation of reflexive communication processes, in addition to activities in three established communication channels (oral, written and digital). A questionnaire was used, and bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 846 individuals participated in the evaluation (70%). Strategic communication had a significant effect on staff members' new way of thinking (61%) and willingness to change daily work practices (33%). The communication channels had a significant synergy effect on the adoption of new ideas and willingness to change attitudes. Oral and digital communication had a significant impact on staff members' readiness to change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategic communication plays an important role in the process of creating innovative attitudes and behaviour among primary care professionals. The willingness to change attitudes enhances primary care staff's readiness to change everyday practices, thus facilitating the implementation of evidence-based care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development, Region Halland, Halmstad, Sweden. helena.mortenius@regionhalland.se
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morténius
authors.forename: Bertil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marklund
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palm
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Björkelund
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baigi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires