Screening and Educating Emergency Department Attendees on Health-risk Behaviours

Aim:To determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of a proactive approach using a brief self-determination theory-based intervention to help people attending the ED modify their health-risk behaviours and lead healthier lives.Hypotheses to be tested:The investigators hypothesise that compared with those in the control group, the participants in the intervention group will experience significantly greater success in modifying their health-risk behaviours and will have a better health-related quality of life at 12 months follow-up.ObjectivesTo assess the recruitment, participation and retention rates of targeted participants in an EDTo ascertain the feasibility of screening, recruiting and educating people to change health-risk behaviours in the EDTo determine the potential efficacy of using a brief self-determination theory-based intervention to help people attending the ED modify their health-risk behavioursTo evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of using a behavioural health-risk factor survey to screen the health-risk behaviours of ED attendeesTo document any changes in health-risk behaviours at the at 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-upTo examine the perception and experiences of participants regarding the proactive approach to screening, recruiting, and educating them to change their health-risk behaviours in the ED.

Inclusion Criteria:(1) age ≥18 years,(2) triage as semi-urgent (level 4) or non-urgent (level 5), and(3) the presence of at least one health risk behaviour (tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity)Exclusion Criteria:(1) poor cognitive state or mental illness and(2) participation in another related study