Development and Design of E_MOTIV A Theory-Based Adaptive E-Learning Program to Support Nurses' Provision of Brief Behavior Change Counseling

Brief counseling, when provided by adequately trained nurses, can motivate and support patient health behavior change. However, numerous barriers can impede nurses' capability and motivation to provide brief counseling. Theory-based interventions, as well as information and communication technologies, can support evidence-based practice by addressing these barriers. The purpose of this study was to document the development process of the E_MOTIV asynchronous, theory-based, adaptive e-learning program aimed at supporting nurses' provision of brief counseling for smoking cessation, healthy eating, and medication adherence. Development followed French's stepwise theory- and evidence-based approach: (1) identifying who needs to do what, differently, that is, provision of brief counseling in acute care settings by nurses; (2) identifying determinants of the provision of brief counseling; (3) identifying which intervention components and mode(s) of delivery could address determinants; and (4) developing and evaluating the program. The resulting E_MOTIV program, guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, Cognitive Load Theory, and the concept of engagement, is unique in its adaptive functionality-personalizing program content and sequence to each learners' beliefs, motivation, and learning preferences. E_MOTIV is one of the first adaptive e-learning programs developed to support nurses' practice, and this study offers key insights for future work in the field.