Applying behavioural frameworks to ‘real-life’ patient care within translational science: Reflections on our Behavioural Science and Complex Interventions (BSCI) module

This blog outlines a Q&A in which students Petya, Magdalene and Sachi share their motivations for taking the course, its impact on their careers and advice they have for future participants. Their reflections highlight their appreciation of the dynamic, interactive nature of this module, which encouraged diverse cultural and personal discussions.

About the authors

Petya Zyumbileva is a research associate at the Clinical Study Center and Department of Psychosomatic Medicine at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and a scientific coordinator of the Clinical Trial Matching Team at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Berlin, Germany. Her research focuses on integrating family caregivers into cancer care and enhancing patient-caregiver-physician partnerships. As part of Charité’s Cancer Strategy 2030+, she coordinates the ‘Patient Journey’ initiative to improve patient experiences and treatment pathways. She is passionate about psychosocial oncology and support, incorporating behavioural science and digital tools to improve the quality of care.

Magdalene Mawugbe is a Rhodes Scholar from Ghana currently completing her MSc in Translational Health Sciences. She will be starting a DPhil in the same programme this autumn. Her research is focused on accessibility for persons with disabilities in the UK and Africa. When she’s not immersed in research, you’ll likely find her with an acoustic guitar, singing. 

Sachi Chan is a MSc in Translational Health Sciences candidate from Toronto, Canada. Her interdisciplinary background spans social entrepreneurship, healthcare, education and communications, with an underlying mission to support young people's transition into healthcare careers. She currently achieves this through her venture, Invite Health.

Why did you choose to take part in the Behavioural Sciences and Complex Interventions (BSCI) course? How was your experience?

Petya: My previous research in psychosocial oncology and mental health increased my interest in behavioural science and complex interventions, particularly in optimising interactions and engagement among patients, caregivers, and physicians in clinical trials. I decided to take the Behavioural Science and Complex Interventions (BSCI) module as a short course to explore evidence-based strategies for designing and evaluating interventions that address real-world health challenges.

Taking this course enhanced my understanding of how to apply behavioural frameworks to mental health and cancer care. It also reinforced my commitment to developing interventions that can improve the well-being of both patients and caregivers while enhancing the effectiveness of healthcare delivery. Engaging with experts and peers from diverse academic backgrounds on the course provided valuable insights into translating research into practice.

Magdalene: I was curious about how human behaviour influenced the translation of health interventions and how people could be influenced to motivate a change in behaviour or attitude towards an intervention. The BSCI module seemed like the missing piece to my MSc in Translational Health Sciences experience and so I jumped onto it. The experience was eye-opening. The module tutors were brilliant at breaking down complex frameworks, and the group work and discussions with classmates from different academic and cultural backgrounds really helped cement the learning.  

Sachi: I chose to enrol in the BSCI module as part of my MSc studies to understand how to translate research from human psychology into the design of effective healthcare innovations. Individual behaviour, aside from genetic predisposition, is often seen as the significant factor that determines one’s health – what we eat, how much we sleep, how much we exercise, etc. 

I enjoyed this module because of how relevant and tangible the lessons were. I also appreciated learning about behaviour change from experts from diverse disciplines, including philosophy and game design, as it reminded me that behaviour change is not a challenge unique to healthcare.

How has the course impacted your work?

Petya: The course has had a significant impact on my approach to designing behavioural interventions, reinforcing the importance of applying evidence-based frameworks to real-world challenges. It has strengthened my confidence using behaviour change techniques and theoretical models to optimise patient-caregiver-physician interactions and improve engagement in healthcare settings. Furthermore, I enjoyed engaging with the module's diverse and interdisciplinary cohort. I gained valuable insights into different perspectives on intervention design and implementation, enriching my ability to develop and refine complex health interventions that are both effective and practical.

Magdalene: The module completely changed how I approach research projects involving people and their attitude towards other people, things or a concept. I'm now considering not only whether an intervention works, but also how people responded to it as a way of predicting the likelihood of sustainability. I've started incorporating behavioural barriers into my literature reviews and thinking about implementation from the design stage. The COM-B model has become my go-to framework for understanding why people might or might not engage with health interventions. It has made me a more thoughtful researcher and better prepared for future work in health implementation.

Sachi: What I appreciated about this module was that the tutors emphasised that behaviour change is not always achieved through targeting individuals' habits and lifestyles. Rather, changing the environment they are in, to create conditions that favour positive behaviour changes, is a much more effective mechanism for behaviour change. This can be achieved through tactics including taxation, reward systems or physical restructuring. The module has shifted my view of designing healthcare innovations from targeting individual behaviours to targeting their environments.

What advice would you give a prospective student considering the course?

Petya: One of the benefits of attending this course is learning from the diverse perspectives of your fellow participants. These in-person interactions will challenge your thinking and offer new approaches to behavioural interventions. With that in mind, engage fully with the course and share your experiences, regardless of your background. Embrace this unique opportunity to refine your skills and gain practical tools for your future health interventions.

Magdalene: Don't worry about lacking a science or psychology background – the tutors are excellent at explaining foundational concepts. Bring your full cultural, academic and personal experience to discussions. You'll discover familiar concepts from completely new perspectives as classmates from different continents, fields and backgrounds share their unique viewpoints. It's incredibly enriching.

Sachi: Ask many questions and share your experiences generously. The most memorable lessons came from the lived experiences of my classmates, including specific policies their home countries adopted or stories from their upbringings. Be mindful of your personal biases and be open minded to learning about different approaches to behaviour change.

In designing healthcare interventions, we often assume that we know what is best for the target audience. However, be ready to challenge your assumptions, and be open to listening to all perspectives.

Click here to learn more about the Behavioural Science and Complex Interventions module, next running 17-21 November 2025, and delivered in partnership with Oxford Lifelong Learning.