(3) Identifying intervention options

Having previously identified the theoretical determinants of nurses’ eating and physical activity behaviour change using the TDF in step two [28], with details outlined in the Results section of the current article, the BCW [22, 23] was used to identify how these theoretical determinants of nurses’ eating and physical activity behaviour could be targeted. The BCW is a synthesis of 19 behaviour change frameworks [22] which helps to organise and identify intervention types (‘intervention functions’) and policy strategies (‘policy categories’) that are likely to be effective in changing particular theoretical determinants (TDF domains) of target behaviours such as eating and physical activity [22, 23]. In the present study, published matrices [23] were used to identify the most appropriate intervention and policy options for changing the theoretical determinants of nurses’ eating and activity behaviour identified during the TDF-informed interviews and survey.

Once broadly appropriate intervention and policy categories had been identified, specific BCTs were selected using published matrices and mapping documents developed by Cane et al. [25] and Michie et al. [23] which allowed specific techniques associated with particular theoretical determinants and intervention types to be identified. The evidence for the potential effectiveness of each selected BCT was evaluated by conducting a rapid scoping review. The likely parameters of effectiveness for each technique (i.e. the circumstances under which each technique would be expected to work) were also established by consulting recommendations of the Iterative Protocol for Evidence Base Accumulation [31] and using the intervention mapping taxonomy of BCTs [32].