Pilot Study of a Motivational Interviewing Training on Practitioners' Skill Set for Patient Centered Communication

Abstract

Purpose: Increase practitioners' Motivational Interviewing (MI) skill set to develop intrinsic motivation and behavior change competencies.

Design: Pilot comparing intervention group with waitlist-control group.

Setting: Health Plan in northeast of U.S.

Intervention: Training program including a 3 day 19 hour MI training intensive, 1.5 hour follow-up skill-building trainings, and quality assurance review using an MI assessment tool paired with strengths-based mentoring. Cohort 1 (experimental group) received the intervention for 6-months and cohort 2 for 3 months (control group).

Measures: Practitioners' MI skill set was assessed pre- and post-intervention using Motivational Interviewing Competency Assessment (MICA). Practitioners' MI knowledge and attitudes were assessed pre- and post-training using adapted Motivational Interviewing Knowledge and Attitudes Test (MIKAT). Active learning and confidence questionnaires were administered post-training.

Analysis: A generalized linear mixed model with repeated measures to analyze difference in MICA growth rates; paired T-test for MIKAT pre/post training analysis. Descriptive statistics for active learning and confidence.

Results: MICA scores significantly improved for both cohorts (P < .0001). Practitioners had significant increase in knowledge and attitudes for MI (P < .001) and confidence in using MI (P < .01). High levels of active learning were observed (93-100%).

Conclusion: With planning, adequate resources/support, and iterative processes for adjustment, practitioners can improve their MI skill set in a short period of time with modest investment of practitioner resources.

Keywords: experiential learning; fidelity; health care; motivational interviewing; population health.