{"id":46,"date":"2020-02-24T11:14:02","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T16:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/gabbytoolkit\/?page_id=46"},"modified":"2021-06-03T11:42:01","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T15:42:01","slug":"tool-2-mechanics-of-gabby-how-it-works","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/gabbytoolkit\/tool-2-mechanics-of-gabby-how-it-works\/","title":{"rendered":"Module 2: How the Gabby System Works"},"content":{"rendered":"

Purpose of This Module<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

The Gabby System assesses preconception health-related risk factors of young black and African American women and helps them minimize these health topics through education and using behavior change techniques.<\/p>\n

Learning Objectives:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Know and explain the different components of the Gabby System.<\/li>\n
  2. Understand the various behavioral techniques that the Gabby System uses to promote health behavior change.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    <\/h4>\n

    How it Works<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/h4>\n

    The enrollment process involves the clients and site champion or staff members responsible for enrolling clients. The steps in the enrollment process include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Introduce the client to the Gabby System using informational paper handouts and the electronic materials as needed.<\/li>\n
    2. Ask the client if they are willing to use the Gabby System.<\/li>\n
    3. After the client agrees to participate, enroll the client (refer to Module 3 for instructions on enrollment). Enrollment usually takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Enrollment involves creating a username and password and can be done face to face or via phone.<\/li>\n
    4. The client logs into the Gabby System using the username and password they created during enrollment.<\/li>\n
    5. Gabby introduces herself. Clients are asked to read and then accept the terms and conditions of the Gabby System before moving forward.<\/li>\n
    6. Clients complete a health survey all in one sitting. The survey could take between 20-30 minutes depending on the client\u2019s knowledge of their medical history. The survey can be completed at home, so staff members do not need to be present while clients complete the health survey.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Health Survey<\/h5>
      <\/span><\/p>\n

      The health survey must be completed in one sitting! Clients can not save their answers and then return to complete the survey at another time.<\/p>\n

      The health survey includes over 100 health topics in 13 domains. The domains include:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Healthcare and Programs<\/li>\n
      2. Inter-partner Violence (IPV) Relationships<\/li>\n
      3. Sexual and Reproductive Health<\/li>\n
      4. Health Conditions and Medicines<\/li>\n
      5. Genetic Health History<\/li>\n
      6. Emotional and Mental Health<\/li>\n
      7. Everyday Discrimination<\/li>\n
      8. Immunizations and Vaccines<\/li>\n
      9. Infectious Diseases<\/li>\n
      10. Substance Use<\/li>\n
      11. Nutrition and Exercise<\/li>\n
      12. Environmental Issues<\/li>\n
      13. Reproductive Life Plan<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Clients\u2019 responses to health survey questions will flag certain health topics that are then listed on the\u201cMy Health To-Do List\u201d. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

        My Health To-Do List<\/h5>
        <\/p>\n

        The My Health To-Do List acts as the home screen where women are able to view the health topics that they flagged during the health survey. After clicking on a topic, women are able to learn about each topic in detail by engaging in a conversation with Gabby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/a>
        (Click to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

        The \u201cMy Health To-Do List\u201d is divided into two parts:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \u201cLiving Well\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0educates women about ways to change their health behaviors over time.<\/li>\n
        2. \u201cStaying Well\u201d– <\/span><\/strong>educates women on immediate action items and mostly involve going to the doctor. An example of a Staying Well topic is getting an annual flu vaccine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Clients can select each of the health topics listed and learn more about it from the Gabby System. Once clients have gone through a health topic with the Gabby System, a check mark will appear next to that topic.<\/p>\n

          On the right-hand column, there are four tabs: \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. \u201cAll Health Topics\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>allows clients to explore all the health topics included in the Gabby System, and not just the ones flagged by responses to the health survey.<\/li>\n
          2. \u201cGabby\u2019s Blog\u201d<\/strong> offers personal stories and recommendations about preconception care. This link directs clients to the Boston University Medical Campus Family Medicine Site, and blog topics include stress, nutrition, and self-care tips.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          3. \u201cHealth Apps & Websites\u201d<\/strong> provides a list of health websites and mobile applications about family planning, general health, nutrition, and physical activity.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          4. \u201cWords to Know\u2019<\/strong> provides a list of the words and phrases that appear in the Gabby System and their definitions. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            On the My Health To-Do List, clients can customize settings such as changing the background color, inserting an inspirational quote, and setting a health or personal goal for themselves. Clients also have the option to print their My Health To-Do List and email it to themselves or a health provider. There is also an option to watch a tutorial about how to use the Gabby System.<\/p>\n

            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

            Stages of Behavior Change<\/h5>
            <\/span><\/p>\n

            The end goal of the Gabby System is to improve the preconception health of young black and African American women by increasing their healthy behaviors and decreasing unhealthy behaviors.\u00a0<\/span>Behavior change takes time, and the\u00a0Gabby System is to move clients through the\u00a0stages of health behavior change<\/a>:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Precontemplation:\u00a0<\/strong>Individuals do not believe their behavior is problematic and therefore do not intend to take immediate or future action to change this behavior<\/li>\n
            2. Contemplation:<\/strong> Individuals recognize their unhealthy behavior and plan to address it within the next 6 months<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            3. Preparation:<\/strong> Individuals take small steps toward health behavior change. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            4. Action:<\/strong> Individuals actively change their health behavior<\/span><\/li>\n
            5. Maintenance:<\/strong> \u00a0Individuals have engaged in the new health behavior for 6 months or more<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            6. Relapse: <\/strong>Individuals return to their unhealthy behavior<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \"Stages<\/a>
              (Click to enlarge). Source: https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/the-stages-of-change-2794868. Accessed February 6, 2020<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

              <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

              Behavior Change Techniques<\/h5>
              <\/span><\/p>\n

              The Gabby System asks a variety of questions to determine which stage of change clients are in. \u00a0<\/span>The role of the Gabby System is to move clients from pre-contemplation and contemplation to action and maintenance.<\/p>\n

              The Gabby System uses several techniques to drive behavior change in clients:<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Motivational Interviewing:<\/strong> This is a technique used to help individuals overcome their internal conflicting feelings and motivations<\/a> regarding a certain health behavior. Gabby System uses motivational interviewing to help clients move from pre-contemplation to contemplation and beyond!<\/span><\/li>\n
              2. Shared Decision Making:<\/strong> Shared decision-making is a client-centered care process through which the client and health worker work together to make health-related decisions<\/a>. Gabby takes on the role of a health worker and offers strategies to help the client change their health behavior. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
              3. Problem Solving:<\/strong> With the help of the Gabby System, clients are able to find solutions to common barriers that prevent them from engaging in healthy behaviors. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
              4. Goal Setting:<\/strong> The Gabby System allows clients to set long-term goals. Goal setting helps move clients towards action and maintenance.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
              5. Homework:\u00a0<\/strong>Through short homework assignments, the Gabby System allows clients to stay engaged and focused on achieving their health goals.\n