Applying Theory of Planned Behaviour to Understand Interinstitutional Collaboration in Chronic Disease Management: A Cross-Sectional Study from Fujian Province, China

Abstract

Background: The integrated management of chronic diseases in Sanming City aims to improve the efficiency and quality of chronic disease management through the collaboration between different levels of medical institutions. This study applied the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to understand the interinstitutional collaboration in chronic disease management (ICCDM) among health care personnel.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 274 health care personnel was conducted in medical institutions in Fujian Province, China, from March 2022 to April 2022. A self-administered questionnaire based on TPB theory was applied to measure the participants' ICCDM behaviours.Results: The proposed TPB model revealed that attitude was significantly and positively associated with behaviour intention, and behaviour intention and perceived behavioural control were significant predictors of ICCDM behaviour.Conclusion: TPB provides insights into ICCDM behaviour. Due to the fact that attitude, perceived behavioural control, and behavioural intention towards ICCDM behaviour were demonstrated to be significant predictors of ICCDM behaviour, these factors may be a promising focus of ICCDM interventions in the integrated management of chronic diseases in China.