The Theoretical Domains Framework

Abstract

Implementation almost always requires someone or groups of individuals to do something differently. This can involve adopting entirely new practices, doing more of existing practices, doing less of existing practices, or discontinuing a practice altogether. Implementation, therefore, often requires behaviour change. In order to design effective implementation strategies, it is necessary to first understand what factors facilitate or hinder change in the behaviours of interest. This can be facilitated through the application of behaviour change theories, which summarize processes hypothesized to regulate human behaviour. The Theoretical Domains Framework synthesizes 33 interdisciplinary behaviour change theories into 14 construct domains representing the range of individual (e.g., knowledge, emotions, perceived consequences), socio-cultural (e.g., social professional role and identity), and environmental influences (e.g., available resources) on behaviour. It has been widely applied in research and practice as a tool for comprehensively exploring barriers and enablers to implementing change.