[Motivational interviewing and brief interventions by general practitioners]

Several studies have shown that brief interventions by general practitioners are a powerful tool for initiating changes in patients' substance consumption patterns and related behaviour. Based on a general-practice case study (of a patient with harmful patterns of alcohol consumption) the principles and most important strategies of brief motivational interviewing are presented. These are: the clarifying of the GP's own position, the giving and receiving of feedback, the highlighting of the patients responsibility, the estimating of the limits of counselling and the degree of motivation to change behaviour shown by the patient, the specifying of the goals of change and the creation of agreement on concrete strategies, the identifying of barriers to change and the developing of coping skills, thereby enhancing self-efficacy. The article relates these strategies to the stages of change.