Certified Specialist Programme in Behavioral Economics for Health and Wellbeing

About this Podcast

HOST: Welcome to our podcast, today I'm thrilled to have Dr. Jane Smith with us, an expert in Behavioral Economics for Health and Wellbeing. She's here to talk about an exciting new course she's involved in. Dr. Smith, can you tell us about this Certified Specialist Programme? GUEST: Absolutely, the course is designed to empower healthcare professionals and policymakers with the skills to apply behavioral insights and nudges to improve health outcomes. It's about understanding decision-making and cognitive biases in the context of health interventions. HOST: That sounds fascinating. Can you share a personal experience where you've seen these principles at work? GUEST: Sure, I recall a project where we used a nudge theory to encourage hand hygiene among healthcare workers. We placed visual cues near hand sanitizer dispensers and saw a significant increase in usage. HOST: That's a great example of how small changes can make a big difference. Are there any current trends in this field that you're particularly excited about? GUEST: Yes, there's growing interest in using behavioral economics to address public health challenges like obesity and smoking. The potential to create real-world impact is enormous. HOST: Indeed, it's a promising area. But there must be challenges in implementing these strategies. Can you share some of them? GUEST: Absolutely, one challenge is ensuring that nudges are ethical and respect individual autonomy. It's crucial to maintain a balance between influencing behavior and respecting personal choice. HOST: That's a very important point. Looking forward, where do you see this field heading? GUEST: I believe we'll see more integration of behavioral economics into public health policies and healthcare practices. The potential to improve health outcomes and wellbeing is vast. HOST: Dr. Smith, thank you for sharing your insights with us today. It's clear that this course is a significant step towards equipping professionals with the skills to drive positive change in health and wellbeing. GUEST: My pleasure, thank you for having me.