What’s the Use of Theory? Michelle van Ryn, PhD, MPH

The barriers to the use of theory in health education practice are addressed by exposing common misperceptions of the nature and usefulness of theory. First, the mystique of theory is addressed through a discussion of theory development and the roots of theory in everyday experience. Two characteristics of theory, generalizability across settings or situations and testability, are described and linked to benefits for practice. Second, a guide for practitioners in applying theory to each stage of the intervention process is provided. A case example illustrates how theory can guide practice as well as the benefits to be gained by applying theory to program development. Finally, the bases for common negative misperceptions of theory are identified and clarified, and the beneficial nature of theory reviewed