title: A primary care Web-based Intervention Modeling Experiment replicated behavior changes seen in earlier paper-based experiment.
abstract: Intervention Modeling Experiments (IMEs) are a way of developing and testing behavior change interventions before a trial. We aimed to test this methodology in a Web-based IME that replicated the trial component of an earlier, paper-based IME.
  
  
  
  Three-arm, Web-based randomized evaluation of two interventions (persuasive communication and action plan) and a "no intervention" comparator. The interventions were designed to reduce the number of antibiotic prescriptions in the management of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. General practitioners (GPs) were invited to complete an online questionnaire and eight clinical scenarios where an antibiotic might be considered.
  
  
  
  One hundred twenty-nine GPs completed the questionnaire. GPs receiving the persuasive communication did not prescribe an antibiotic in 0.70 more scenarios (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.17-1.24) than those in the control arm. For the action plan, GPs did not prescribe an antibiotic in 0.63 (95% CI = 0.11-1.15) more scenarios than those in the control arm. Unlike the earlier IME, behavioral intention was unaffected by the interventions; this may be due to a smaller sample size than intended.
  
  
  
  A Web-based IME largely replicated the findings of an earlier paper-based study, providing some grounds for confidence in the IME methodology.
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: School of Health Sciences, City University London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK.
authors.forename: Jill J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Dundee, Frankland Building, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonetti
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 and 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 Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
authors.forename: Jemma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.affiliation: Health Informatics Centre, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Ninewells Avenue, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Centre for Dental Innovation & Translation, Kings College London, Dental Institute, Floor 17, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK.
authors.forename: Nigel B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Pitts
authors.affiliation: Computing, University of Dundee, Queen Mother Building, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK.
authors.forename: Ian W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Ricketts
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, North York General Hospital, University of Toronto, 4001 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario M2K 1E1, Canada.
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: Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: MacLennan
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D033182:Intention; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012606:Scotland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Behavior change; Intervention Modeling Experiments; Intervention development; Prescribing; Primary care; Randomized controlled trials