Behaviour change, chronic condition management, and the role of digital technologies

Up, Up and Away - the digital health podcast

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In the latest episode of Up, Up and Away, host Dom Burch speaks to Dr. Pamela Rackow and Alexandra Dima - two esteemed researchers in the field of health psychology and digital health. Pamela is a Psychology Lecturer at the University of Stirling, who specialises in the mechanisms of behaviour change and the role of digital technology in promoting healthier lifestyles.
Alex is Principal Researcher at the Avedis Donabedian Research Institute - Autonomous University of Barcelona. Alex focuses on person-centred care and improving the management of chronic conditions through collaborative care and self-management support. Her research spans a variety of conditions including asthma, HIV, cancer, and stroke, with a strong emphasis on shared decision-making, treatment adherence, health literacy, and eHealth.
In the podcast they cover several key themes in health psychology and digital health, particularly focusing on behaviour change, chronic condition management, and the role of digital technologies.
Health Behaviour Change and Digital Technologies:
Dr. Pamela Rackow emphasises the importance of digital technology in promoting behaviour change, particularly in the context of chronic conditions like asthma. She discusses various interventions, such as digital apps and gamification, to support individuals, especially young people, in managing their health. For example, she mentioned using WhatsApp groups to support healthier eating and a gamified app to educate young people about COVID-19, which not only informed but also reduced anxiety by engaging with the subject in a controlled way.
Person-Centred Care and Self-Management:
Alexandra Dima discusses the importance of person-centred care and the challenges of self-management for chronic conditions. She highlights the diversity of healthcare systems across Europe and the need for tailored care that considers individual circumstances. Dima also touches on the need for better communication between healthcare professionals and patients, as well as among professionals themselves, to improve care outcomes.
Challenges in Behaviour Change:
Both Pamela and Alex agree that behaviour change is complex, with diverse and individualised reasons for certain behaviours. They discuss the need for tailored interventions that consider a person’s current context and life situation. Dr Rackow points out that small, manageable steps are crucial for empowering patients and fostering self-efficacy, which is essential for long-term behaviour change.
Role of Collaboration:
Both researchers emphasise the importance of collaboration between universities, healthcare providers, and digital health developers. Dr Rackow expresses a desire for more partnerships to translate research into practical digital health solutions, while Alex Dima discusses the potential of the Enable repository to foster collaboration and share best practices across Europe.

Future Trends in Digital Health:
The conversation ends with a discussion on future trends in digital health. Alex Dima highlights the challenge of balancing technological integration with maintaining diversity and user engagement. Dr Rackow is excited about further collaborations that can bridge the gap between academic research and practical digital health applications, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.