Getting from Intention to Action

Abstract

M any of the most pressing problems in human health are not a direct result of genetic error or environmental insult, but rather human behavior. We know quite a bit about how to be healthy: eat less, exercise more, don't smoke, and seek high-quality medical care when you need it. Judging by the prevalence of obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and inappropriate and/or poorly delivered care, this is apparently easier said than done. The problem of health-related behavior (which includes the behavior of health professionals as well as patients) is, in large measure, a matter of motivation. We have good intentions aplenty. What we need is action.So how do we motivate patients and the health professionals who care for them? Several articles in this issue of JGIM address this perpetually challenging question. Two papers focus on clinician education and skill building. As demonstrated in the observational study by Boissy et al., 1 it's hard for burned-out physicians to motivate patients. A relationshipcentered communication skills course not only increased empathy and decreased burnout in physicians, but the patients of these physicians reported improved satisfaction with care.

Why Do We Harm the Environment or Our Personal Health despite Better Knowledge? The Knowledge Action Gap in Healthy and Climate-Friendly Behavior

“…The state of research of climate-friendly behavior is similar to that outlined concerning healthy behavior above. Intentions for change are often in place, yet implementation remains difficult [52]. The most straightforward reason not to act is lack of knowledge [25].…”