title: The Step approach to Message Design and Testing (SatMDT): A conceptual framework to guide the development and evaluation of persuasive health messages.
abstract: This paper provides an important and timely overview of a conceptual framework designed to assist with the development of message content, as well as the evaluation, of persuasive health messages. While an earlier version of this framework was presented in a prior publication by the authors in 2009, important refinements to the framework have seen it evolve in recent years, warranting the need for an updated review. This paper outlines the Step approach to Message Design and Testing (or SatMDT) in accordance with the theoretical evidence which underpins, as well as empirical evidence which demonstrates the relevance and feasibility of, each of the framework's steps. The development and testing of the framework have thus far been based exclusively within the road safety advertising context; however, the view expressed herein is that the framework may have broader appeal and application to the health persuasion context.
authors.affiliation: Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland (CARRS-Q), Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Corner of Musk Avenue and Blamey Street, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia. Electronic address: i.lewis@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ioni
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland (CARRS-Q), Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Corner of Musk Avenue and Blamey Street, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; Global Road Safety Partnership, Chemin des Crêts, CH-1211 Geneva 19, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Corner of Musk Avenue and Blamey Street, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; Queensland University of Technology (QUT), School of Psychology & Counselling, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia. Electronic address: km.white@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D012449:Safety
keywords: Health advertising; Health persuasion; Message development; Message evaluation; Road safety advertising; Step approach to Message Design and Testing (SatMDT); Theoretical framework