Which behaviour change techniques are most effective in improving healthcare utilisation in COPD self-management programmes? A protocol for a systematic review

Introduction Self-management interventions are often presented as a way to improve the quality of care for patients with chronic illness. However self-management is quite broadly-defined and it remains unclear which types of interventions are most successful. This review will use the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) as a lens through which to categorise self-management interventions regarding which programmes are most likely to be effective, and under which circumstances. The aim of this study is to (1) describe the types of self-management programmes that have been developed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and identify the common elements between these to better classify the self-management. (2) Evaluate the effect that self-management programmes have on COPD patients’ healthcare behaviour, by classifying those programmes by the behaviour change techniques used. Methods and analysis A systematic search of the literature will be performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, HMIC, and PsycINFO. This review will be limited to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies. The review will follow PRISMA-P guidelines, and will provide a PRISMA checklist and flowchart. Risk of bias in individual studies will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias criteria, and the quality of included studies will be evaluated using the GRADE criteria, and will be reported in a Summary of Findings table. The primary analysis will be a catalogue of the interventions based on the components of the TDF that were utilised in the intervention. A matrix comparing included behaviour change techniques to improvements in utilisation will summarise the primary outcomes. Ethics and dissemination Not applicable, as this is a secondary review of the literature. Registration details PROSPERO: CRD42018104753