Developing Rapport with the Patient: Making Motivational Interviewing Work

Course overview

0202-0000-26-067-L04-P "Motivational interviewing (MI) is a set of skills AND a way of being with the patient. Many clinicians learn MI skills without fully understanding the relational nature of MI that makes it effective. Since MI was primarily developed to use with patients who are ambivalent or resistant to a health behavior (taking medication appropriately, getting vaccinated, losing weight, quitting smoking, etc.), patients are often defensive or at the very least guarded about discussing their engagement in the behavior(s) in question. Having the skills without understanding and developing the kind of relationship that can create a safe and caring connection with the patient is not optimal. Our research shows that the combination of effective skills training in MI and developing high rapport with the patient, results in a six fold likelihood for behavior change versus either skills training or rapport alone. This session will explore relational aspects of motivational interviewing and how when combined with appropriate skills, can significantly improve the probability of behavior change. Mini cases and dialogues will be used to reinforce the learning. "