Pilot Study of a Motivational Interviewing Training on Practitioners' Skill Set for Patient Centered Communication

Increase practitioners' Motivational Interviewing (MI) skill set to develop intrinsic motivation and behavior change competencies.

Pilot comparing intervention group with waitlist-control group.

Health Plan in northeast of U.S.

Training program including a 3 day 19 hour MI training intensive, 1.5 hour follow-up skill-building trainings, and quality assurance review using an MI assessment tool paired with strengths-based mentoring. Cohort 1 (experimental group) received the intervention for 6-months and cohort 2 for 3 months (control group).

Practitioners' MI skill set was assessed pre- and post-intervention using Motivational Interviewing Competency Assessment (MICA). Practitioners' MI knowledge and attitudes were assessed pre- and post-training using adapted Motivational Interviewing Knowledge and Attitudes Test (MIKAT). Active learning and confidence questionnaires were administered post-training.

A generalized linear mixed model with repeated measures to analyze difference in MICA growth rates; paired T-test for MIKAT pre/post training analysis. Descriptive statistics for active learning and confidence.

MICA scores significantly improved for both cohorts (P < .0001). Practitioners had significant increase in knowledge and attitudes for MI (P < .001) and confidence in using MI (P < .01). High levels of active learning were observed (93-100%).

With planning, adequate resources/support, and iterative processes for adjustment, practitioners can improve their MI skill set in a short period of time with modest investment of practitioner resources.