4.8. Behavioural change
The objective of the intervention in this study is to
improve self-regulation skills using behavioural and cognitive techniques. This intervention is designed to promote uptake and optimal use of specified disease self-management behaviour patterns. Intervention components are characterized as education, training, modelling and enablement according to the behavioural change wheel, a broad taxonomy classifying interventions based on function. These behaviour change components are linked with theoretical mechanisms of change in order to optimise the effectiveness of the intervention. The behaviour change components of education, training, modelling and enablement embedded in the self-management
sessions will target desirable and specific behaviours including individualised diary use, patient recognition of deterioration in symptoms, and the correct and timely use of an action plan. These specific behaviours will repeatedly be discussed by phone
with the study nurse to reinforce self-management skills. We will document session attendance of patients and their carers, the motivation of patients to use a diary and an action plan, the compliance and completeness of diary data, and the adherence
to the action plan. So at the end of the study, we will be able to assess the fidelity of delivery of the intervention with these data.