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. 2024 Oct;29(12):1416-1430.
doi: 10.1177/13591053241235094. Epub 2024 Feb 27.

Virtual Motivational Interviewing (VIMINT) to support physical activity: Experiences of older adults and counsellors

Olayinka Akinrolie  1 , Jacquie Ripat  1 , Shaelyn Strachan  1 , Sandra C Webber  1 , Ruth Barclay  1
Affiliations

Virtual Motivational Interviewing (VIMINT) to support physical activity: Experiences of older adults and counsellors

Olayinka Akinrolie et al. J Health Psychol. 2024 Oct.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of older adults and counsellors involved in virtual motivational interviewing (MI). This study was part of the Virtual Motivational INTerviewing (VIMINT) feasibility trial of virtual MI for physical activity in older adults. A descriptive qualitative design utilized content analysis. Seven older adults and three counsellors were interviewed. Four categories were developed: (i) Benefits and limitations of using technology (ii) Relationships between older adults and counsellors (iii) MI skills and spirit and (iv) Effects of virtual MI. Older adults and counsellors reported that receiving/delivering MI virtually was convenient and flexible. They described reduced non-verbal communication in virtual MI. Virtual MI facilitates interpersonal relationships, and counsellors reported that MI skills and spirit can be applied virtually. This study showed that virtual MI offers potential benefits with some limitations. The findings could inform future research involving virtual delivery of MI.

Keywords: counsellors; motivational interviewing; older adults; virtual.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Virtual MI: conceptual relationship between technology, MI skills and spirit and relationship using virtual MI.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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