Transferring social-cognitive theories from individuals to healthcare professionals: a useful but simplified lens on clinical practice

Abstract

This conceptual analysis examines the transferability of social-cognitive theories from individual health behaviours to healthcare professionals' clinical behaviours. Although these theories provide a robust framework for explaining intentional and deliberative actions, their application to professional contexts risks oversimplifying the complex realities of healthcare work. Clinical behaviour is shaped not only by individual attitudes, beliefs, and perceived control but also by organizational hierarchies, procedural constraints, professional identity, and moral responsibility. Through analysis of empirical examples, the paper delineates the conditions under which social-cognitive theories retain explanatory power and those where alternative perspectives, such as workflow engineering, relational coordination, habit theory, and moral psychology, might offer greater insight. The paper argues for an integrative approach that situates individual cognition within environmental, organizational, and ethical contexts. By doing so, it refines understanding of when and how social-cognitive frameworks can inform implementation efforts, and where complementary theoretical lenses are needed to capture the realities of clinical practice.