Motivational Interviewing Skills for Patient Telephone Encounters

There are five principles of Motivational Interviewing, expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, supporting self-efficacy (Braastad, n.d., p. 5-6):

• Develop discrepancy - helps the patient identify a discrepancy between their current behavior and desired behavior
• Express empathy - provide unconditional regard by viewing the situation from patient's perspective
• Amplify Ambivalence - discuss the different sides to the situation
• Roll with resistance - respond differently, avoid arguing, and find a new perspective
• Support self-efficacy - support patient's belief in their ability to change

• Encourage change talk
• People are more likely to change when they hear their own ambivalence
• Be optimistic
• Help patient recognize the problem

Before moving on to the next module view the short video and complete the knowledge check linked below.