Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of an educational intervention on air pollution for healthcare professionals
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Varaden, Diana
Hudson, Ben
White, Malcolm
Allwood, Camilla
Anderson, Lucy G
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background: Air pollution is the greatest environmental health risk in the UK, contributing to a range of chronic conditions and preventable deaths each year.
General Practitioners and wider healthcare professionals (HCPs) are trusted messengers who regularly advise on modifiable risk factors, yet air pollution is
largely absent from medical education and patient-facing communications. To address this gap, an online training intervention was developed to equip HCPs
with knowledge and confidence to discuss air pollution with patients and act as “champions” cascading their air quality knowledge to colleagues.
Methods: This mixed-methods feasibility study assessed the acceptability of the training intervention, changes in self-reported knowledge and confidence and
feasibility of applying a champion model in practise. Outcome measures were underpinned by a Theory of Change. Quantitative data were statistically analysed
whilst qualitative data were thematically analysed using a deductive approach.
Results: Forty-three HCPs (40 GPs, a nurse practitioner, a pharmacist and a practise manager) completed the training, with 100% completing the pre-training
survey, 90% the post-training survey (n = 40) and 53% the three-month follow up (n = 26). Improvements were observed across all self-reported outcomes, includ
ing understanding of the health impacts of air pollution, the actions patients could take to minimise exposure, and confidence in discussing and advising on
the health impacts of air pollution. GPs valued the training and identified a need for practical tools and integration into standard care pathways. Interviews high
lighted key barriers to implementing the champion model, including limited time and a lack of a “natural in” during consultations. At 3 months, 85% of trained
HCPs who completed the follow up survey (n = 22) had shared learning with colleagues, indicating successful knowledge sharing.
Conclusion: The one-hour education intervention appears to be an acceptable and feasible way to rapidly upskill time-pressured healthcare practitioners to dis
cuss air pollution with patients. The “champion” model shows promise for wider dissemination, but widespread scale-up will likely require integration into medical
curricula and clinical training pathways to ensure consistent, long-term education on air pollution.
General Practitioners and wider healthcare professionals (HCPs) are trusted messengers who regularly advise on modifiable risk factors, yet air pollution is
largely absent from medical education and patient-facing communications. To address this gap, an online training intervention was developed to equip HCPs
with knowledge and confidence to discuss air pollution with patients and act as “champions” cascading their air quality knowledge to colleagues.
Methods: This mixed-methods feasibility study assessed the acceptability of the training intervention, changes in self-reported knowledge and confidence and
feasibility of applying a champion model in practise. Outcome measures were underpinned by a Theory of Change. Quantitative data were statistically analysed
whilst qualitative data were thematically analysed using a deductive approach.
Results: Forty-three HCPs (40 GPs, a nurse practitioner, a pharmacist and a practise manager) completed the training, with 100% completing the pre-training
survey, 90% the post-training survey (n = 40) and 53% the three-month follow up (n = 26). Improvements were observed across all self-reported outcomes, includ
ing understanding of the health impacts of air pollution, the actions patients could take to minimise exposure, and confidence in discussing and advising on
the health impacts of air pollution. GPs valued the training and identified a need for practical tools and integration into standard care pathways. Interviews high
lighted key barriers to implementing the champion model, including limited time and a lack of a “natural in” during consultations. At 3 months, 85% of trained
HCPs who completed the follow up survey (n = 22) had shared learning with colleagues, indicating successful knowledge sharing.
Conclusion: The one-hour education intervention appears to be an acceptable and feasible way to rapidly upskill time-pressured healthcare practitioners to dis
cuss air pollution with patients. The “champion” model shows promise for wider dissemination, but widespread scale-up will likely require integration into medical
curricula and clinical training pathways to ensure consistent, long-term education on air pollution.
Date Issued
2026-08-12
Date Acceptance
2026-07-03
Citation
Frontiers in Public Health, 2026, 14
ISSN
2296-2565
Publisher
Frontiers Media S.A.
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Public Health
Volume
14
Copyright Statement
© 2026 Varaden, Hudson, White, Allwood and Anderson. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
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Publication Status
Published
Article Number
1862924
Date Publish Online
2026-08-12