Motivational interviewing: helping patients improve their health behaviours

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based technique with proven success in enhancing behaviour change. MI techniques use patients' ambivalence about change to influence their health behaviour. In this workshop you will be trained to recognise and avoid approaches that increase resistance to change, while enhancing motivation and patient self-efficacy.

MI strategies can be used in brief interactions at the bedside or in longer consultations, as well as in group settings such as rehabilitation programs. While this workshop covers principles, techniques and strategies of MI, the emphasis will be on practical applications that can be transferred to a participant's workplace. Role plays and demonstrations will enable participants to apply these skills.

Topics to be covered include:

• Motivational interviewing principles

• Increasing patients' desire to learn

• Techniques to enhance patient self-efficacy

• Ambivalence as a tool for change

• Applying MI in different settings

 To read what previous participants have thought click here