Using brief motivational interviewing to address the complex needs of a challenging patient with heart failure

Hospitals and healthcare providers are looking for methods to reduce hospitalization rates and improve patient outcomes for patients with heart failure (HF). Using behavioral approaches to increase patients' confidence in their abilities to perform self-care is 1 such approach. Motivational interviewing is an empirically validated modality that has shown promise in improving motivation to change and confidence in the ability to do so.

This case represents a number of themes common in the management of care for a HF patient and explores a 4-session brief motivational interviewing approach to address these themes. The manner in which patient frustration is linked to hospitalization is discussed along with possible ways to address problems in self-care behaviors.

With the use of this brief motivational interviewing approach, the patient reported an increase in her motivation and ability to change and developed a postdischarge plan for incorporating self-care behaviors in her daily routine.

Motivational interviewing may be an effective method of increasing the self-care behaviors of patients with HF.