Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of an educational intervention on air pollution for healthcare professionals.

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, including 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 highlighted 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 discuss 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.