How to apply behavioural change techniques: COM-B

Here is a summary of the COM-B applied to behaviour change of greener inhaler use, by Szymon Urbanski

Clinician Capability

• Clinician has limited interest in environmental concerns
• Clinician believes that patient has limited interest in environmental concerns
• Clinician may forget to bring up topic of green inhalers during patient conversation

Patient Capability

• Patient has cultural or language barriers
• Patient has limited physical capability to use green inhaler

Clinician Opportunity

• Limited time available in consultation
• Remote consultations can make sharing of information and demonstrations more challenging
• Providers may have limited types of green inhalers in stock

Patient Opportunity

• Limited number of bookable consultations available
• Patients may base decisions on which inhalers on advice from family or friends
• Patients may not see clinician as a trustworthy messenger

Clinician Motivation

• Clinicians prioritises focus on clinical aspect of inhaler choice (rather than environmental)

Patient Motivation

• Patient does not see change in inhaler as beneficial to them
• Patient fears that they will not be able to go back to their old inhaler
• Patient has limited desire to learn new techniques for a new type of inhaler