Motivational Interviewing Education and Utilization in US Physical Therapy.

Area of Science:

• Physical Therapy
• Behavioral Science
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based approach for behavior change, increasingly recognized in physical rehabilitation.
• While MI's benefits are documented in physical rehabilitation, its education and utilization within physical therapy in the United States remain under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between motivational interviewing education and the use of MI skills among physical therapists in the United States.
• To explore the characteristics of MI training received by physical therapists and its impact on clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional electronic survey was administered to 785 physical therapists across the United States.
• Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, and group comparisons to examine MI utilization, training, and skill application.

Main Results:

• Two-thirds of surveyed physical therapists reported using MI, with half having received prior training.
• Interactive MI training components were found to be more effective than lecture-based training alone.
• Training received during formal physical therapy education programs showed a negative correlation with self-reported MI skill use.

Conclusions:

• Motivational interviewing integration in physical therapy can foster better patient rapport, improve health outcomes tied to behavior change, and enhance job satisfaction.
• Physical therapy education should prioritize dynamic, interactive MI training to effectively enhance clinicians' skill application and patient care.