Reinforce chapter themes with free access to two journal articles for each chapter and further online readings. Select chapters will also include suggested weblinks.

Journal Article 15.1: Korwanich, K., Sheiham, A., Srisuphan, W. and Srisilapanan, P. (2008) ‘Promoting healthy eating in nursery schoolchildren: A quasi-experimental intervention study’, Health Education Journal 67: 16–30.

Discussion Points: How is experimental design defined in this context? Critically evaluate the paper.

Journal Article 15.2: Taylor, L., Poland, F., Harrison, P. and Stephenson, R. (2011) ‘A quasi-experimental feasibility study to determine the effect of a systematic treatment programme on the scores of the Nottingham adjustment scale of individuals with visual field deficits following stroke’, Clinical Rehabilitation 25: 43–50.

Discussion Points: How is experimental design defined? What do you make of the paper in light of what you have read?

Journal Article 15.3: McComb, S., Jones, C., Smith, A., Collins, W. and Pope, B. (2016) ‘Designing incentives to change behaviors: Examining college student intent toward healthy diets’, Western Journal of Nursing Research 38(9): 1094–1113.

Description: College is a time when young adults establish lifestyle habits. This research examines how personalization and limited resources might be balanced most effectively when designing incentives to shift college students’ intentions toward positive dietary changes. A randomized 2 × 2 experiment (Coaching/Coupons × Fruits and Vegetables/Low Fat) was conducted, where respondents were exposed to virtual interventions and asked pre- and post-intervention about their intent to eat healthy. Results suggest that interventions may incentivize students, but are dependent on student characteristics. On-campus students and students with more knowledge about healthy diets were more likely to increase their intent when offered coaching; students living off campus and those with less knowledge resonated with coupons. On- and off-campus students differed in their positive responses to eating fruits and vegetables versus low fat foods, respectively. Younger students may be more susceptible to interventions. Findings may be useful in designing meaningful incentives for college students.

Journal Article 15.4: Mercer, S. W., Fitzpatrick, B., Grant, L. et al. (2017) ‘The Glasgow “Deep End” Links Worker study protocol: A quasi-experimental evaluation of a social prescribing intervention for patients with complex needs in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation’, Journal of Comorbidity 7(1): 1–10.

Description: ‘Social prescribing’ can be used to link patients with complex needs to local (non-medical) community resources. The ‘Deep End’ Links Worker Programme is being tested in general practices serving deprived populations in Glasgow, Scotland. To assess the implementation and impact of the intervention at patient and practice levels.  Quasi-experimental outcome evaluation with embedded theory-driven process evaluation in 15 practices randomized to receive the intervention or not. Complex intervention: Comprising a practice development fund, a practice-based community links practitioner (CLP), and management support. It aims to link patients to local community organizations and enhance practices’ social prescribing capacity. Study population: For intervention practices, staff and adult patients involved in referral to a CLP, and a sample of community organization staff. For comparison practices, all staff and a random sample of adult patients. Sample size: 286 intervention and 484 comparator patients. Primary patient outcome is health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L). Secondary patient outcomes include capacity, depression/anxiety, self-esteem, and healthcare utilization. Practice outcome measures include team climate, job satisfaction, morale, and burnout. Outcomes measured at baseline and 9 months. Processes: Barriers and facilitators to implementation of the programme and possible mechanisms through which outcomes are achieved. Analysis plan: For outcome, intention-to-treat analysis with differences between groups tested using mixed-effects regression models. For process, case-study approach with thematic analysis. This evaluation will provide new evidence about the implementation and impact of social prescribing by general practices serving patients with complex needs living in areas of high deprivation.