Multiple Risk Behavior Intervention in Health Care Settings

HD2 conducted a randomized control trial at two metropolitan Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (HVMA) sites. The unit of randomization was the primary care provider. Providers were randomized to one of three arms:

1. Usual care, a control arm.
2. HD2, an intervention arm, which included access to the study information via website or study information content via print materials. Content addressed the 5 targeted health behaviors and goals, the importance of tracking behaviors in order to improve behaviors, and the importance of social support during behavior change.
3. HD2+, another intervention arm, which included access to the study information content just described, PLUS two coaching calls.

Note: access to the website was available for the 6 months after recruitment only.

In addition, the investigators wanted to test how use of electronic reminders might increase engagement with the intervention. So, a sub-set of both intervention arms was randomized to receive additional electronic reminders. Participants were allowed to choose either AVR (voicemail) or SMS (text messaging) for the delivery of these brief electronic reminders.

The investigators conducted recruitment on a rolling basis. Patients were assigned to the conditions to which their primary care providers were randomized. The investigators offered participation to providers from the Internal Medicine departments who had full patient panels and conducted annual well visit physicals with adult HVMA patients. All participating providers were informed about the HD2 study through a presentation by study staff. Providers could elect to opt out of participation prior to the patient recruitment period.