Motivational Interviewing: An Inspirational Overview

CONFERENCE COVERAGE

Motivational interviewing is a way of talking with a patient such that he/she feels motivated to change behaviors that negatively affect his/her health.

The goal of this approach is to encourage and hasten positive behavioral change via collaborative dialogue. Its spirit has been summarized by the acronym ACE: autonomy, collaboration, and evocation. It is based on several principles, expressed in the acronym ELDERS: expressing empathy, letting the patient lead, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, and supporting self-efficacy. Some of the key skills are reflected in the acronym OARS: open-ended questions, affirmation, reflection, and summary.

In this 10-minute podcast, Carla Marienfeld, MD, provides a brief overview of the sprit and principles that underlie motivational interviewing and they key skills and tools employed.

Dr Marienfeld, who is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, will help lead a workshop on this topic at the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry Annual Conference. 

You can find more information on motivational interviewing at www.motivationalinterviewing.org.