Motivational Interviewing: An Approach for Addressing Ambivalence for Change

Program Date: 15 November 2018

Publication Date: 1 April 2011

Continuing Education Units: Nurse Contact: 1.0; Dietitian CPEU: 1.0

Course Description:

In this course, you’ll define the four core techniques of motivational interviewing (MI); review MI tools; identify differences between MI and the traditional patient interview; and discuss common challenges for implementing MI.

Course Objectives:

Define the four core techniques of motivational interviewing (MI).
Review motivational interviewing tools such as “rolling with resistance,” “the importance-confidence ruler,” and the general concept of “elicit, provide, elicit” utilizing open-ended questions.
Identify differences between the motivational interview and the traditional patient interview.
Discuss common challenges to implementing MI.

CDR Level: 1
Suggested Learning Codes: 1000, 6000, 6010, 6020
Performance Indicators: 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 8.3.7, 9.6.4
Run Time: 50:00

Course Instructor Bio(s)

Julia Wacker, MSW, MPH

Director of Community Outreach

Healthy Lifestyles Clinic

Duke University Medical Center

Durham, NC, USA

At Duke’s Healthy Lifestyles Clinic, a childhood obesity treatment center, Julia Wacker and her staff often use motivational interviewing to help patients make behavioral changes and move forward in the change process. Committed to improving child health policies through physician advocacy, Ms. Wacker is the recipient of the Public Health Social Work Leadership Award and the Leadership Education and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Award. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina’s dual master’s degree program in social work and public health.