An interview study to explore applied psychologists' experiences of implementing health psychology in global health partnerships: The Change Exchange

Introduction

Health partnerships in global health aim to build capacity by strengthening training and education. Health psychology has an important role to play, as traditionally health partnerships focus upon increasing capability such as increasing knowledge but do not tackle opportunity and motivation. The Change Exchange recruits applied psychologist volunteers to utilize health psychology in global health partnerships, which is a novel approach. This study aimed to understand the experiences of applied psychologist volunteers working in health partnerships and how such interventions were implemented.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were carried out. Interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis to explore the translation and implementation of health psychology in health partnerships. A deductive approach was then taken using the higher level constructs of the Normalization Process Theory to inform and interpret the themes into recommendations.

Results

Fifteen applied psychologists, all of whom were from the UK and had volunteered in health partnerships between the UK and low- to middle-income countries participated. Key themes and sub-themes were identified: (1) The challenges of the application of behavioural science within the health partnerships, (2) Building relationships within the health partnership, (3) Exploring the communal and individual effort carried out within the health partnership and (4) Reflecting on the work carried out within the health partnership.

Discussion

Barriers exist in regards to the implementation of health psychology in health partnerships but capacity building is possible. Recommendations suggest, future work should establish clear roles for applied psychologists in health partnerships and critical evaluation of current psychological models, methods and measures for use outside of Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic societies.