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. 2016 Sep 16:12:10455.
doi: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10455.

Advanced Patient-Centered Communication for Health Behavior Change: Motivational Interviewing Workshops for Medical Learners

Kathryn Brogan Hartlieb  1 , Brett Engle  1 , Vivian Obeso  2   3   4 , Maryse A Pedoussaut  1 , Lisa J Merlo  5 , David R Brown  6   7
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Advanced Patient-Centered Communication for Health Behavior Change: Motivational Interviewing Workshops for Medical Learners

Kathryn Brogan Hartlieb et al. MedEdPORTAL. .

Abstract

Introduction: Medical settings are critical access points for behavior change counseling, and lifestyle behavior change is considered a key component of chronic disease management. The Association of American Medical Colleges recommends that future physicians be competent in shared decision making and patient-centered behavioral guidance to prevent illness and improve patient self-management of chronic disease. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a patient-centered, directive method of communication to enhance behavior change. Specific teachable strategies underlie the collaborative MI communication style that aims to reduce discord and build motivation for change.

Methods: We present our three-session 12-hour MI curriculum as an advanced form of patient-centered communication. Each session includes presession assignment, large-group interactive lecture, and small-group activities for practice. An interdisciplinary team consisting of medical educators and health behavior change research-educators who are also members of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers created the submission. The purpose of this resource is to provide medical educators with a short curriculum that incorporates materials and learning activities to promote skill in MI.

Results: In addition to positive feedback from student evaluations including the areas of relevance to training and self-rated skills improvement, preliminary pre- and posttraining scores from the medical students show significant improvement in expression of empathy and the ratio of reflections to questions.

Discussion: Implementation of the curriculum allows learners the opportunity to practice evidence-based communication that promotes intrinsic motivation for health behavior change in patients, a key treatment focus in chronic disease management.

Keywords: Advanced Communication Skills; Health Behavior Change Conversations; Motivational Interviewing.

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Conflict of interest statement

None to report.

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