Motivational Interviewing

What?

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative communication strategy that can strengthen a person’s motivation and commitment to positively change health behaviors.

Why?

Patients who are at risk for falls might be unaware of or in denial of that risk. They may also feel helpless and uncertain of their ability to reduce their fall risk. Motivational Interviewing techniques can help health care providers initiate challenging conversations and empower patients to engage in positive behavior changes to reduce their fall risk.

How?

Processes that form the basis of the Motivational Interviewing approach include engaging, focusing, evoking and planning. To effectively engage with patients, health care professionals should use communication strategies including open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing.