Further COM-B information

The COM-B framework

CAPABILITY is defined as the individual’s psychological and physical capability to engage in the activity concerned. It includes having the necessary knowledge and skills.

OPPORTUNITY is defined as all the factors that lie outside the individual that make the behaviour possible or prompt it and include social and physical opportunity.

MOTIVATION is defined as all those brain processes that energise and direct behaviour, not just goals and conscious decision making. It includes habitual processes, emotional responding, as well as analytical decision making.

The COM-B framework specifically can be used to understand and frame the analysis of innovation adoption, and therefore supports embedding, adopting, and spreading learning from the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as having the ability to impact key priorities such as enhancing MDT working and building a digitally ready workforce.

Case studies of COM-B framework 

• Case studies from the health psychology trainees in Scotland

• COM-B within specific clinical pathways​

  • Ophthalmology

  • MSK

  • CVD

• COM-B and antimicrobial stewardship interventions

  • Community nursing

  • Nurse and pharmacist prescribers

  • AMS programme

• COM-B and the education and training of health professionals

  • Using COM-B to understand translation of training into practice change

  • Coding education and training for behaviour change techniques to understand what works for who in changing health professional practice

• Equipping pharmacists for stop smoking services using COM-B

For further information about the COM-B framework and its application within the health and social care workforce, please follow this link.