Motivational interviewing: what is it and can it help initiate behaviour change?

Conversations that draw out patients’ own reasons to quit smoking, lose weight or make a change

• Motivational interviewing involves guiding conversations in such a way that an individual finds their own reasons to change health behaviours
• Rather than promoting a health ideal, it clarifies the person’s own motivations for change and promotes autonomy in decision-making
• Tips on what to say, what not to say and how to respond to a client or patient’s ‘change talk’

When Jan Procter-King first heard about motivational interviewing, it came as a revelation to her.

Having spent many years as a practice nurse, she wanted to help people make healthy choices – the problem was, no matter how hard she tried, too often it simply wasn’t