title: Paper-based and web-based intervention modeling experiments identified the same predictors of general practitioners' antibiotic-prescribing behavior.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the robustness of the intervention modeling experiment (IME) methodology as a way of developing and testing behavioral change interventions before a full-scale trial by replicating an earlier paper-based IME.
  
  
  METHODS
  Web-based questionnaire and clinical scenario study. General practitioners across Scotland were invited to complete the questionnaire and scenarios, which were then used to identify predictors of antibiotic-prescribing behavior. These predictors were compared with the predictors identified in an earlier paper-based IME and used to develop a new intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred seventy general practitioners completed the questionnaires and scenarios. The constructs that predicted simulated behavior and intention were attitude, perceived behavioral control, risk perception/anticipated consequences, and self-efficacy, which match the targets identified in the earlier paper-based IME. The choice of persuasive communication as an intervention in the earlier IME was also confirmed. Additionally, a new intervention, an action plan, was developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A web-based IME replicated the findings of an earlier paper-based IME, which provides confidence in the IME methodology. The interventions will now be evaluated in the next stage of the IME, a web-based randomized controlled trial.
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK. Electronic address: streweek@mac.com.
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Treweek
authors.affiliation: Dental Health Services Research Unit, University of Dundee, Kirsty Semple Way, Dundee DD2 4BF, UK.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonetti
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maclennan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Medical Quad, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Baddiley Clark Building, Richardson Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK.
authors.forename: Martin P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Eccles
authors.affiliation: Health Informatics Centre, University of Dundee, Kirsty Semple Way, Dundee DD2 4BF, UK.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Dental Institute, Kings College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
authors.forename: Nigel B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Pitts
authors.affiliation: School of Computing, University of Dundee, Queen Mother Building, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK.
authors.forename: Ian W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Ricketts
authors.affiliation: Quality, Safety & Informatics Research Group, University of Dundee, Kirsty Semple Way, Dundee DD2 4BF, UK.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weal
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, City University London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK.
authors.forename: Jill J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Francis
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing / Q000517:prevention & control; D020407:Internet; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012107:Research Design; D012606:Scotland; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Behavior change; Intervention development; Intervention modeling experiments; Prescribing; Primary care; Randomized controlled trials