How to use the Integrated-Change Model to design digital health programs

Abstract In this chapter, you will learn about sociocognitive theories and determinants of behavior. Sociocognitive models help us understand the associations among the determinants of behavior change, and how these determinants influence behavior. The critical integration of theories leads to better models to explain behavior, such as the Integrated-Change Model, which stipulates three phases of change: awareness, motivation, and action. In order to adopt a healthy behavior, such as nonsmoking via smoking cessation, the first phase is that one becomes aware of the risks of a specific behavior (e.g., tobacco smoking) and recognizes that one is actually engaging in this behavior. When an individual is aware of a health risk behavior and the personal risks, the next phase is to enhance the motivation to change. When a person is motivated to change, this person can move to the action phase where the focus is on how to translate intentions into actions. Integrated theories can be used to design health promoting interventions, including digital health. One pragmatic approach to design digital health is to (1) choose the theoretical model, (2) formulate intervention goal and objectives of the digital health program, (3) identify the salient beliefs using qualitative as well as quantitative research, and (4) design the program content and algorithm. This approach is outlined in this chapter.