Research Findings

1. Key findings from TADS research indicate that practitioners choose to enter a person’s world of personal behavioural practices without being invited, interpret the ‘problem’ or ‘behaviour’ from their own professional lens and then apply the usual ‘corrective action’: these are missed productive opportunities.
2. All developmental stages and resources for the training programme have been determined and constructed by community and participant feedback and ongoing involvement. TADS Māori, Pacific and Youth facilitators have been significant contributors in its research and development.
3. A brief conversation which occurs in the right context and utilising brief intervention skills can result in positive patient lifestyle choices.
4. Many health professionals have the desire and commitment to assist their patients in lifestyle behaviour change but lack the skills.
5. 85% of the general public present at a general practice setting annually, but many potentially harmful or existing risky behaviours frequently go undetected.
6. A five-minute brief interaction is as effective as four 20-minute counselling sessions.
7. Recent TADS research includes:

2000- 2006: Development and validation of TADS PACT© Adult version (Docherty B)

2001-2007: Development and validation of TADS PACT© Youth Version (Docherty B)

2004-2006: TADS/Bay of Plenty District Health Board pilot programme: Assessment and Evaluation of the TADS training programme for General Practitioners and Practice Nurses in Primary Health Organisations.

2006-2007: Training of School Nurses and Public Health Nurses to assess acceptability and utilisation of the TADS Youth PACT © for youth (NZ Ministry of Health Public Health Directorate and NZ Ministry of Education)

2010-2011:  Research collaboration University of Otago, Wellington School of Medicine and University of Auckland. “Understanding Diabetes Management: Tracking Communication in Primary Care”