Health Psychology in Industry: Applying behavioural-science to develop a patient support programme formultiple sclerosis

Background: Industry produces Patient Support Programmes (PSPs) to support selfmanagement for people with long term conditions. We aimed to develop a PSP for people with relapsing remitting MS informed by health psychology models and frameworks within an industry context. Methods: We utilised behavioural science models and frameworks (e.g., The COM-B model and Theoretical Domains Framework) to underpin the programme design and development of the programme content. We combined these with ‘journey mapping’ identifying ‘painpoints’ faced by people with MS. We utilised a co-creation stakeholder approach involving behavioural scientists, nurses, medics, and graphic design specialists. Findings: We designed a personalised intervention to deliver support via either a nurse, app, or nurse + app. Content was developed to address illness perceptions (coherence, controllability, consequences, and emotional impacts), confidence (self-efficacy) and motivation to adhere to treatment. App content covered a range of aspects of disease and treatment management (e.g., developing habits and routines, managing MS at work, managing negative emotions) via interactive content (e.g., video, quizzes). Discussion: We demonstrate the opportunity for health psychology to inform practice in a commercial setting. We emphasise the need for PSPs to be patient-centred (tailored to the individual’s needs and priorities), empirically grounded (using evidence-based methods to target behavioural drivers/barriers) and developed with evaluation and implementation plans built in from the start.